Okie dokie. Here's Taozi's chapter. I'll post up the next chapter in a jiffy.

Disclaimer: I do not own pics.

Repost: 8/13/13

Take Care Of Time

Your outing with Kyungsoo was officially done when you stepped through the threshold of his house. You immediately cleaned up your appearance and—requested by Kyungsoo—were given time to rest because of your arduous trek. Slumped in an armchair, an EXO servant offered to massage your aching feet and legs—thinking you were too weak and delicate—but you politely declined. Upon seeing Kyungsoo’s worried face in the corner of your vision, you assured him you were fine and regretted nothing.

“Here, Princess, have some water,” provided Baekhyun, handing you a cold glass which you accepted gratefully. The EXO princes were herded in the living room you were lounging in. Twelve pairs of eyes locked onto you as you relaxed. Suho dabbed your forehead with a cool, damp towel, and Xiumin adjusted the room temperature to soothe your weariness.

Amidst the fussing, you felt thin, artistic fingers probe your slim shoulders. You glanced up to see a shy looking Yixing hovering by your side.

“Can I massage your shoulders, Princess?” he asked timidly.

You ruminated on how you had declined the servants of the favor and would’ve said the same thing to Yixing (you didn’t want to burden him), but seeing his sweet face made you succumb. “Oh, if you don’t mind,” you said, beaming up at him.

“I don’t,” he assured. Your body loosened up at the relaxing treatment you were pampered with. It was a faint feeling, but you sensed Yixing covert a smidgen of his energy into you, his hands slightly aglow. You smiled inwardly, reminding yourself to personally thank him later when you two were alone. Off to the side, the EXO servants thought it was such an adorable scene seeing you interact with their princes. It was like watching a husband(s) taking care of his (their) dearest wife.

Everyone packed their belongings together when notified that the bullet train was ready to depart. The next destination was a quick ride. Only ten minutes long.

“We’re going to my valley, Princess!” chirped Tao, bouncing in his seat enthusiastically. You couldn’t help but to soften at the little time prince, even if he was two years older than you.

Chanyeol nudged Baekhyun and stage-whispered, “Do you think Taozi will be able to woo her?”

The light prince observed how you and Tao conversed animatedly and chuckled. “I don’t think he understands how to ‘woo’ her, but he does know how to show off.”

Chanyeol snickered. “Just like Fannie.”

“What was that?” Yifan coolly quipped, hearing his foolishly pronounced nickname from the fire prince.

Chanyeol blanched, scooting away. “N-nothing, brother.”

When the bullet train arrived at the station, you noticed how the territory was mostly populated with sentries and environmentalists. Tao hyperactively took your hand, dragging you to his residence settled high in the niche of the valley. The time prince gave you a grand tour of his second home—his exasperated brothers leaving the impatiently-crazed boy to his own devices. It was his time to bond with you.

You were puzzled when Tao brought along a pack that contained his fighting staff and practice sword to your outing. The two of you carefully descended to the lowest level of the valley. The ground was mainly flat, hard-packed rock. A flowing river spilt the valley evenly down the middle. The guards had trouble keeping up with you two and decided to watch from a higher vantage point upon a ledge.

You sensed it, being trapped in a timeless era, but it was hard to confirm your hunch when you could obviously move and nothing else was amiss. Tao was grinning when he asked you to sit on a boulder and watch.

The time prince had his staff handy, poised behind his lean back. You watched, enamored, as his dark panda eyes grew neutrally focused. Then, swiftly, he spun, the bottom of his staff nearly scraping the ground, sweeping up dirt and dust. He kept spinning and twirling his staff, scooping up rocks and pebbles into the air. When he halted into a standstill stance, the falling dust and rocks froze mid-air. The river stopped flowing. Any animals in the valley became quiet, turned into statues. Only the sound of soft, leveled breathing from two people was audible.

“Incredible,” you whispered, marveling at the scene before you. Hearing you, your fiancé grinned triumphantly but maintained his act. Tao tossed his staff aside so he could smoothly unsheathe his sword. The shiny metal glinted under the sun.

Tao poised himself again, sword horizontally held out before him, one arm bent behind his back. Then, in precise, practiced movements, he did a sequence of slices, jabs, kicks, spins, and slashes. During his whirling and slashing, his sword would cut the immobile sand mid-air, or he would kick aside a rock in his way. He twirled the sword in his hand and executed a perfect shoulder roll, sprung back up to his feet, and expertly halved an airborne flower as he flipped his sword behind him.

Everything dropped to the ground. The river flowed on languidly. Birds overhead cawed.

Broken from the trance, you clapped your hands zealously, eyes bright at the impressive spectacle. “That was brilliant, Prince Tao!”

Beaming, he pumped his fist at his cheek. “BUING! BUING!” he chimed, expressing his achievement. “Thank you for watshing, Princess!” He bowed theatrically.

Hopping of the boulder, you ran up to him. “I can tell you worked really hard! I bet you can beat Yifan in a match!”

Tao blushed at the praise. “Aw, thanks, Princess. I didn’t know wat to do, so big brother Fannie told me to do wushu.”

You grabbed his hands, squeezing them. “If I ever asked you to teach me, would you? I want to beat up Jonghyunnie sometimes.”

Tao laughed cutely. “I’ll beat him up for you!” he offered, and you joined him in his fit of laughter.

Tao decided to show you his valley, holding your hand the entire time as you peered into the river and investigated the variety of aquatic animals and plants. You peeked into crevices and holes, delighted when you discovered cute little creatures. Tao pointed at the type of birds flying overhead. You felt like an explorer.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, your sneaky fiancé displayed skinship with you. He constantly nuzzled his cheek against yours or hugged you close to his side. He was blissful when you didn’t reject his snuggles (probably because you assumed it was a normal habit of his).

Something caught your eye and you paused in your stroll, turning to your fiancé. Beads of sweat clung to Tao’s pale forehead. Concerned, you dabbed at his sweaty forehead with your hanky. “Are you exhausted, Prince Tao?” you asked, alarmed.

He smiled warily, but didn’t deny it. “Usin’ my powas takes a lot of my energy and concentrashun, but I’m fine.”

You cupped his face in your small, slender hands and leaned in close. His cheeks flushed darker.

“Don’t overexert yourself for my expense, Zitao,” you told him gently, voice velvety and hypnotizing. “You could’ve told me you needed some rest before playing around.”

He looked down guiltily at your chiding tone. “I’m sorwy. I’ll tell you next time, I promise.”

Pleased by his promise, you brushed your nose against his, and his panda eyes rounded. An overwhelming surge of delight and exhilaration coursed through him, vitalizing him with energy. Instantly, this moment, this very second, he wanted to freeze time. He wanted to use his powers to completely preserve this moment between you and him, but he knew you would fret about his condition and be heartbroken if he just casted aside his promise not to recklessly overexert himself. He had to become stronger and more powerful to make such an important moment last forever.

Strong enough to freeze time over, so we can be an eternity.

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