Tao awkwardly entered the kitchen the next morning. Since Tao was the last one to wake up, the five other members of EXO M had just finished their breakfast at this point.

Tao's eyes immediately fell on Xiumin, which everyone seemed to notice. The oldest one put his head down, trying to hide from Tao's gaze. In his mind he still believed that Tao hated him because of what happened last night, and Xiumin didn't know what to do.

Kris looked to Chen, Luhan, and Lay, sending them a look he knew they would understand.

Let's leave them alone for now.

The four of them slowly left the kitchen, leaving the oldest and the maknae alone. There was a long silence as Xiumin looked at his now empty plate and Tao looked to the ground. Both of them were quite nervous, not knowing how they would proceed after last night's situation.

Tao slowly made his way to Xiumin, before taking a seat next to him. Tao's hands laid in his lap as he played with his fingers.

Finally, the silence was broken.

"I'm sorry," both of them said at the same time. They both gave each other caring looks before trying to speak again. "Me first," both of them said again.

"Let me speak first," Xiumin pleaded. "Tao, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to embarrass you or anything like that. I wasn't disgusted with you. I just..I just didn't know what to do." Xiumin sighed. "Seeing everything that monster did to you...it hurt me. I can only imagine how much it hurts you even more. Tao, I'm really sorry. I don't know how many times I have to say it before you actually believe me but I'll keep saying it until you do."

Tao swallowed, taking in Xiumin's words. "Can I speak now?" He asked, unsure. When Xiumin nodded, Tao sighed before continuing. "I believe you...I believe you and I'm so sorry."

"You have no reason to be sorry," Xiumin quickly cut in, shaking his head. 

"Yes I do," Tao argued. "I shouldn't have reacted like that. I panicked. I know you care about me. You didn't do anything on purpose, but my mind made me believe that you thought I was...I don't know, damaged goods. I thought you were thinking horrible things about me. I know that was all untrue, and I don't know why I tricked myself into thinking that. I'm really sorry."

A smile appeared on Xiumin's face. Feeling better with Tao's words, he gently pulled the maknae into a tight hug. "I don't want you to ever feel like that again," Xiumin said. "I love you. We all do."

Tao smiled as he felt Xiumin tighten his grip. Tao couldn't help but return the hug. It was moments like these that made Tao believe that there was a chance that everything would get better. That everything would go back to the way it should be.

"Promise me you won't think like that again," Xiumin whispered as he still held onto Tao.

"O-Okay," Tao responded with some hesitation. "I promise. I'm so sorry."

Xiumin rolled his eyes. "I already told you, you don't have to apologize." Xiumin finally released Tao before looking into the younger one's sad eyes. A bright smile appeared on Xiumin's face. "How about I take you to lunch today? Just you and me?" he asked excitedly.

Tao couldn't help but smile at Xiumin's childish enthusiasm. "Can I choose the place?" He asked cutely.

Xiumin nodded with so much force that Tao thought the baozi would break his neck at any second. "Of course you can," he answered. "And you can eat anything you want. I'm buying." Xiumin flashed a proud smile before ruffling Tao's hair. "Anything for little Taozi."

D.O. sighed as he continued cooking his kimchi spaghetti.

"Is it ready yet?" Kai asked impatiently as he peeked over D.O.'s shoulder.

"No, JongIn," he answered for the fourth time already. "Give me just five more minutes."

Kai sighed in disappointment.

"Why don't you pick up all your clothes that he's been nagging about for the past two hours?" Suho asked Kai as he entered the kitchen, not longer wanting to hear anymore questions from the dancing machine. He looked around. "Where's SeHun?" he asked upon finding the maknae to be nowhere in sight.

"Bathroom," Baekhyun answered from the living room.

"Aaaaand done," D.O. announced as he turned off the stove. He looked towards Kai. "Happy now?" he asked.

Kai nodded before getting himself a plate.

Chanyeol rolled his eyes as he walked into the kitchen. "And nothing matters as long as Kai eats," he teased.

Kai quickly turned around and looked at Chanyeol. "I care about other things besides food, ya know," he quickly defended himself. "I care about all of you," he said sweetly as he smiled and batted his eyelashes.

Chanyeol was unimpressed, but before he could say anything, Sehun walked into the kitchen. "Is the food done?" the maknae asked, earning a nod from everyone in the kitchen.

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