Two months fly past easily and now, Tao is due to leave in a week

“Tao-ah! Kris is here!” Jongdae screams from the door, moving aside to let Kris in. “In a second!” Tao screams from upstairs in the guest room.

“So-“ “Don’t” Kris sasys, already knowing where Jongdae was going with this “You’re boyfriend already lectured me this morning and it is still no” Jongdae pouts “Minseok told me and ge you didn’t have to snap at him” Jongdae states

Kris sighs “I know I apologised. Just stop trying to change my mind”

Jongdae is about to retort back when “Sorry I took long!” Tao yells, jumping down the flight of stairs “Ya Tao be careful!” Kris scolds

Tao chuckles “I’m a wushu master ge chill”

Jongdae rolls his eyes and mutters ‘married couple’ under his breath. Kris stiffens up at this and Jongdae giggles, noticing it “Well I’ll see you guys later! Have fun love birds!”

Before any of them can respond, Jongdae is out the door

Tao and Kris look at each other for a bit before Tao looks away awkwardly, Kris coughing and scratching the back of his head

“U-um shall we go? We might miss the movie?”

Tao nods “Y-yeah. Let’s go!”

After the movie the two went to an arcade where Kris practically dominated all the games, and now the pair is sitting at a slightly empty café. Kris watches as his panda cutely eats his chocolate cake, humming to himself. He knows Tao is praising the cake for its deliciousness. Kris chuckles. Tao looks up at the older with that ‘what the hell is wrong with you?’ look

“What is it Ge? Oh my gosh your losing your mind!” Tao states jokingly. Kris laughs harder at Tao’s cute expression and acting “You’re just really cute panda bear” Kris says. And there’s a look in Kris’ eye, a slight shine and glint that Tao wonders what it is

Tao rolls his eyes at his gege “Whatever dragon” Tao pokes his tongue out and Kris playfully pinches Tao’s cheeks while the younger groans in pain

“Is everything all set and ready?” Kris asks

Kris doesn’t want to approach the subject but wants to know and needs to send off Tao properly even though his heart clenches so painfully tight in his chest. Tao nibbles at his bottom lip

“Y-yeah. Leaving next Friday” Tao says, busying himself with cutting a piece of his cake “Ahh gege!” Tao says cutely, positioning the cake in front of Kris’ lips

Kris can feel his heart beat louder but he remains his composure “Ahh” he says. Tao places the cake in Kris’ mouth and Kris chews on it lovingly. Getting fed by Tao is something Kris loves. It makes him feel like they’re a couple…

“So are you ready to leave?” Kris says timidly, watching his panda eat the cake thoughtfully

No. no I’m not really ready to leave because then I’ll be leaving you. And it hurts

“Yeah. I’m ready to leave” Tao says lying to both himself and Kris.

“That’s good” Kris replies, lying to both himself and Tao.

~

Kris just couldn’t wait to tell Tao the good news. Kris could barely contain his excitement as he waited in anticipation for the young male at a small park they always hung out at during breaks from their university lectures.

As soon as Tao came into Kris’ view, dressed in a light grey hoodie with his sleeves rolled up, navy blue jeans and black converses, Kris’ grin grew “Zitao!” Tao spots his best friend waving his arms around excitedly over his head and Tao giggled “Gege what’s the great news!” he yells, quickly moving towards the happy male

“I got a gig. Tomorrow night, same usual place where I work at but the difference is that, remember how Chanyeol recorded my previous rap and posted it on YouTube?” Tao nods recalling all the views Kris immediately received and smiles “Of course I remember. And?” Tao prompts, dying to know the news. Kris rang him just before Tao entered his class and begged the younger man to meet him at the park after his lecture, his tone of excitement intrigued Tao and he was curious ever since.  “Scouts are coming to watch me Tao! ME! People from YG, SM, JYP, TS, and more, can you believe it! They saw my video and texted my boss Junmyeon that they wanted to watch me perform tomorrow! My one and only chance! Tao I can’t believe it!” Kris screams excited and Tao finds himself crying “Gege!” he sniffs and Kris’ face immediately falls

“Ah Tao what’s wrong! Did something happen? Tao-ah!” Kris panics and Tao giggles, slapping his arm playfully “No idiot! I’m happy for you. I’m so happy for you” Tao cries harder and Kris finds himself shedding a few tears of his own as he embraces his best friend. Another reason why Kris loves Tao, Tao is just so selfless and pure. His sensitive and vulnerable and that just makes Kris even more protective over him. But among all reasons, Kris just loves Tao for who he is. Huang Zitao.

“Ge, our dreams are coming true. It looks like…were taking different paths. Away from each other” Tao whispers into Kris’ shoulder. Kris gulps “Y-yeah. Our dreams are coming true. Zitao” Kris pulls away from Tao to stare deeply at the younger “Are you saying that you, you’re fully moving away from me? Like, not just to Japan but, I don’t make sense. I-“Kris stops and pulls himself together “When you say away from each other, you’re not going to forget me are you?”

Tao blinks “N-no that’s not w-what I meant at all! I meant…our dreams are leading us down different paths. Ge, listen to me” Tao stares intently at his best friend “No matter how far away I am from you, I’ll always be thinking of you” Kris smiles in relief. “Me too” Kris pulls Tao into his arms again and shuts his eyes tightly

If only you knew that you are my dream Tao…

Sitting on the swings side by side, Kris turns to grin widely at Tao “You are coming tomorrow night right?”

Tao laughs “Who do you think I am? Of course I’ll come. I wouldn’t miss it, ever!” Kris leans in to ruffle Tao’s hair happily “Great!” “Have you told everyone already?” Tao asks. Kris shakes his head “You’re the first person” Kris announces and Tao gasps

“You mean you waited for a whole hour just to tell me and didn’t tell anyone else? What about Chanyeol? Yixing? Jongdae? Minseok? Baekhyun? Jongin? Sehun-“Kris laughs loudly and Tao pouts “What’s so funny?” “When you got your offer to Japan, you told me first right?” Tao looks confusedly at Kris and nods “I did exactly the same. Because it’s you Tao, you’re always going to be the first one to know”

Tao breaths a subtle sigh of relief for the dark night as it hides his flushed cheeks. They’ve stayed at the park for hours just talking, laughing, and playing.

“Oh right, want to get something to eat? I’ll gather the guys around and tell them the news. How about that?” Kris suggests and Tao nods “Sounds good!”

~

It’s the night of Kris’ big performance. His waiting backstage, nervous out of his mind.  Peeking out of the curtains, Kris tries to spot that one person who would bring his mood up and shake him out of his nervous state

Zitao? Where are you...?

“Wu Fan! No I’m Kris’ little brother Yixing, please let me in- Wu Fan!”

Kris turns around immediately at the voice of his little brother and sees Yixing arguing with the security “Donghae-shi it’s okay, his my little brother let him in” Yixing smiles gratefully and the security guard bows in apology “Sorry sir”

Yixing bows back “It’s okay Donghae-shi”

Quickly he hurries over to Kris “Yixing what are you-

“Kris listen to me! Tao’s not here, he can’t come” Kris’ heart immediately drops at Yixing’s explanation. “Wh-why? He told me he’d be here. What happened? Is he-

“Ge, his flight was moved and the head of the school wants him in there early” Kris is real confused by now. He shakes his head “Yixing what are you on about-

“Ge, his flight was moved to tonight. His at the airport right now, and his due to leave in 45 minutes or so.” Kris’ eyes widen, rivalling their friend Kyungsoo’s wide eyes. “I-his-his leaving tonight?” Yixing nods “Kris, I know this is an opportunity of a life time but…Zitao, his leaving” Yixing doesn’t need to explain it anymore as Kris knows what his talking about

“Wu Fan, you’re on now” Junmyeon’s voice interrupts them and Kris blinks. “Wu Fan” Yixing starts but Kris gives him a shaky smile “I need to go on stage” Yixing watches with a heavy heart as Kris makes his way towards the stage

“Yixing ge, please tell Wu Fan I’m sorry…and tell him I said goodbye. Also, tell him to keep smiling” Yixing closes his eyes tightly as he remembers the pain clear in his didi’s voice “Tell him I’ll miss him”

Kris makes his way on stage and the spotlight is on him. Everyone starts cheering, screaming and clapping. Kris notices that his friends aren’t there and is glad that they are at the airport to see Tao off. Kris masks a fake smile and waves to those waving at him and cheering his name.

He spots the scouts in the back and they all nod towards him.

Kris scans the crowd again and…he can see Tao’s face. Smiling brightly at him. He can hear Tao’s voice. He can smell Tao’s distinct scent and feel Tao’s touch…he can feel Tao’s heartbeat against his own…and he can feel his heart breaking into pieces now. The Dj starts to play his song but Kris can’t bring himself to rap because…his heart is with Tao. It always has been.

He signals for the Dj to cut the music and he does. Everyone stares at Kris confused and shocked.

Kris taps the microphone “Hello everyone. I-I-uh-“ Kris clears his throat “This is a great opportunity and I’m really grateful…it’s a once in a lifetime chance” Kris surveys his surroundings but the image of Tao’s face, Tao’s smile, Tao’s crying face, just Huang Zitao, is imprinted heavily in his every being. “My one and only love is slipping away from me and right now…is the only chance I have to hold onto him. And I- I’m not going to make any mistakes. I’m sorry and I hope you can find it in your hearts to understand but I-I really need to get my man” there’s mixtures of reactions as the crowd gasps, awws, some even boos him but Kris doesn’t care. He lets out a bright smile “Thank you and goodnight! Oh yeah, maybe you should just ask Lee Donghae, a bodyguard here, to dance for you guys. It’s amazing” Kris looks towards the curtains to see Donghae giving him a look, Kris winks. “Goodnight!”

Dropping the microphone, Kris dashes backstage, running hurriedly out the backdoor. WAIT FOR ME TAO!

~

Tao stands idly behind the crowds of people waiting to board the same plane as he is. His waiting to book in. Sighing he massages the growing headache he is receiving. Already saying farewell to his friends, besides his special friend, Tao’s heart is heavy.  Tao’s nearly there to the front. Not yet…

Fighting the tears in his eyes Tao pulls out his phone and stares longingly at his display picture. Wu Fan. His smiling brightly into the camera. So I won’t forget you. I never could anyway. Be happy here gege.

“NEXT!”

Tao takes a deep breath and begins to pick up his suitcase when-

“STOP! ZITAO!”

That oh so familiar voice sends shocks of electricity up Tao’s spine. Quickly turning around Tao sees Kris panting amongst the crowd. “Tao!” he yells once again and Tao blinks “Please wait a second” he tells the woman behind the counter and sending the people behind him a smile of apology. Tao bends down under the poles which keep people in line and hurriedly makes his way to Kris

“What are you doing here?!” he scolds but Kris just grabs his arm and pulls him towards him. Tao’s eyes widen. “How dare you Tao? How could you?” Kris’ voice is shaky and Tao’s heart begins to ache more. “How could you leave without saying goodbye?” that little hope Tao once had is quickly crushed. “I couldn’t ge, you were getting ready for something important and I-“Kris pulls himself away from Tao “Important? Important you say? God Zitao”

Kris brings his hand up to caress Tao’s face lightly “You’re the most important thing to me in this world. How could that compare to you?” Tao gulps

“Sir? Are you checking in or not?” the lady behind the counter says. The woman that was standing behind Tao shushes her “Don’t disturb the moment!” she scolds and Kris chuckles “No his not checking in”

Tao stares at Kris confused “What are you talking about ge?”

“Don’t go. God I was such a coward Tao. All this time I’ve known you I never had the courage to say anything and now, when your slipping away from me, I know I have to say it because I don’t want to lose you Zitao” Kris looks at Tao with warmth and affection and the little spark of hope is rising within Tao again

“Huang Zitao I love you. I love you so much and I have for so long. Please don’t, don’t leave. Please don’t leave. I can’t breathe without you. Tao I love you so much” Kris’ arms are tightly around Tao’s waist and Tao’s eyes water at Kris’ confession

The crowd behind them all AAWWW at the confession. “Young man answer him!” the woman from before says excitedly and Tao turns around to smile at her and giggle before turning back to face Kris. Kris’ face is full of anxiety and worry and Tao gives Kris a heart-warming smile. Kris’ face softens a bit and Tao loves how his the only one that can do that

“What took you so long?” Tao whispers and Kris smiles despite the tears flowing. Tao smiles back despite his own tears and Kris slowly bends down to capture Tao’s lips in a loving kiss. Kris tightens his arms around Tao’s waist as Tao brings his arms around to wrap them around Kris’ neck.

The crowd cheers and the lady at the counter chuckles and shakes her head.

After a while Kris pulls back to smile at his young lover

“Sir, were all happy for you but please take your bags back so we can get on with our work” the lady at the counter says and both Kris and Tao laugh.

~

“Ugh now where am I going to stay? I already left my apartment- omo and my job I quitted my job. Aish what do I do now?” Tao rambles. Kris laughs from the driver’s seat as they drive away from the airport

“Well to answer your first question, you’re going to live with me and for your job, we can always find you another but you wouldn’t need to work because I can for the both of us” Tao turns to pout at Kris “gege I don’t want you working for both of us. We’ll pull the load together. Oh yeah one more thing?” Kris turns left at a round-a- bout “What is it?”

Tao quickly leans in to peck Kris on the cheek and Kris’ cheeks flush. Tao giggles “Thank you Wu Fan” Kris pulls over to the side and stops the car, turning to face Tao and leaning in before stopping, inches away from Tao “Thank you Zitao. I love you” he whispers before going to close the gap. Tao pulls away and Kris stares at Tao in confusion

“I love you” Tao whispers back before leaning in and kissing Kris. The two smile into the kiss as they pull each other close, vowing to never let go.

-THE END-