Chapter 51

Kris didn't sleep a wink that night. Something was bugging him. Two things were. One, Tao had ninja kicked him in the abdomen and two, the line between friendship and lo... liking, liking Kyungsoo was starting to get very, very blurry.
It was weird though. Whatever it was he was feeling, he had much difficulty finding out what it meant. With Kim everything had been... what had it been? They had been friends, only, he had fallen for her the moment he first saw her. But as he recalled, everything he had hoped love to be had disappointed him greatly. For him it had been love at first sight, apparently not for her. He had had to change in order to gain her love. Was that really how it was supposed to go?
He needed to talk to someone about this but who? For some reason, Mark popped into his mind. Kris hadn't spoken to his friend in such a long time and he doubted Mark would take the news of him might being into a bro very well.
Then maybe... Luhan? 
Naaaaarh.
Then there was that Tao kid. Those bruises... what had happened? Clearly the kid was messed up but Kris refused to believe Tao was the type to go looking for trouble. Especially after his childish torture of Luhan at lunch.
Kris checked the time. 9 AM. He had been just lying in his bed for almost 5 hours. Sehun and Joonmyun had been the last to leave at 4 in the morning. Man that kid was quite the talker. Joonmyun also seemed to be getting along really well with him. That, Kris hadn't seen coming.
Right, back to Tao.
Kris grabbed his phone and wrote a message to Joonmyun.
'Hi. Thanks for last night. That camera? I love it so much. You're awesome ;) Anyway, I was wondering, seeing as you were Tao's guide when he first came here... Do you by any chance know where he lives? It's not important and you're probably still sleeping but if you do know, I'd really like his address :)'  
He had only just pressed send when his phone beeped.
Of course Joonmyun knew.

Tao used to live in the dorm on campus but after he refused to leave for his year abroad, the school made him leave his room, reasoning that since he lived closer to the school, they needed his room for another last minute exchange student, not wanting to house yet another student in the luxury apartments free of charge. And so Tao had moved back home. At least that's what Joonmyun had said.
And that's how Kris found himself an hour later outside Tao's house, terrified to his very core.
 
A voice so loud, he could hear it as clear as day from outside the house, spewed awfully mean Korean curses. Was this really the right house? Kris checked the address Joonmyun had given him again. Yup, this was it.
'Kris. I know we don't see eye to eye most times but... this time, I think we can both agree that getting  the hell away from this place, is the only solution here.'
No. This wasn't the time to be a coward. He took a deep breath as he hesitantly walked towards the front door. He was just about to knock when he obviously chickened out. Maybe taking a quick peek through the window first was a good idea.
He stepped to the left where a window showing off the living-room area was placed. At first all he could see was what appeared to be just your average home when a kid came flying into one of the walls, knocking over a plant in the progress. Not a second later an older man came into view, he grabbed the boy by his hair, hoisting him to his feet before a punch was planted in his abdomen.
Momentarily Kris's body moved on its own. The kid was Tao and he was in danger. Kris stormed through the front door and into the living room. He grasped the older man's arm that was holding onto Tao and pushed him away. In a flash, Kris was kneeling beside Tao, trying to help him up when the older man punched him in his side.
"Get away from my son!"
The pain was overwhelming.
Kris fell to the floor, clutching his side.
"He's... your dad?" Kris managed to choke out before a kick landed in his stomach. Acting on instincts, he pulled up his knees to his chest, shielding himself from the following kicks.
"Stop it! Father, stop it!"
"Shut your mouth!"

Tao saw red.
Kris was lying on the ground, taking every blow his father landed. He didn't even try to fight him off.
Hesitantly Tao put a hand on his father's shoulder.
"Please stop. He didn't mean to..."
A punch connected with Tao's right cheek. He stood for a moment comprehending what just happened when he smply snapped.
"I said. Stop it."
The man turned around to land another punch, only this time, Tao was ready for it. He parried his father's fist with his own arm as he landed a kidney shot with his other hand. The older man fell over from the blow when his face met with Tao's knee, giving him a bloody nose. A spinning kick to his shoulder made him tumble over, hitting his head on the floor.
Tao hurried to Kris's side, not daring to touch the injured guy.
"Are... Are you okay?"
The blonde man groaned. Cautiously Tao helped him up, putting Kris's arm around his neck.
Two steps towards the front door and his father was at their heel.
"Where do you think you're going? I'm not done with you."
"Yes. Yes you are." Tao didn't dare look the man in the eye, keeping his sight focused on the open door. 
"If you leave out that door, you better stay gone or I will kill you."
Tao swallowed once before dragging a half unconscious Kris further towards the door.
"I mean it Tao! I swear, you are dead to me if you pass that threshold!"
Tao kept going.
"... Panda. I'm your father. Please... Don't leave me alone."
Tao closed his eyes, trying his best to ignore his father's plea. This always happened. Always. Usually it would work.
But not this time.
This time, another person was involved.
This time Tao had stood up to his drunk father, for the first time ever. All because of a guy he hardly knew, came to his rescue.
"Bye. Dad."
Shutting his ears to everything else his father had to say, Tao marched through the front door, never looking back once.

"Here".
A bag of frozen peas were thrown into his lap. Kris was lying on his own couch probably staining the white leather. He took the bag and held it against his ribs that were most likely a nice shade of purple by now.
"Aaw man. I loved this shirt." Kris pouted at the light-blue cotton shirt that now was ripped different places and stained with blood.
Tao took a seat in the arm chair, holding his own bag of frozen vegetables against his cheek.
"By the way. Sorry to say this but your dad is kind of an . I mean, what kind of father beats his own child?"
"... The drunk kind."
Tao lowered his ice bag, sighing heavily.
"He wasn't always like this. He used to be... a real dad."
The now not scary guy seemed so fragile as Kris watched him pull his knees to his chest, hiding his face. With much trouble, Kris sat up, scooting closer to the boy.
"How long has it been?"
"... Ever since he and  I moved here."
"Your mother?"
"Back in China. My dad's Korean so when my mother ran off with another man, we moved back."
"She..."
"Yup."
"He gave you those broken ribs?"
"Just another afternoon. He's drunk most of the time when he beats me. He blames me for mom leaving us. It's just his...logic to get over it I guess."
"That's awful."
Tao scoffed.
"That's daddy."
"Why didn't you say anything? You just... took it?"
"Of course. As I said, he is my dad after all."
Kris nodded. Not that he understood, he just didn't know what else to do.
"Where's your roommate?"
"Kyungsoo? I think he's at work. Why?"
"No reason. I just don't want him thinking I beat you up or anything. I don't really know him but... he seems like a nice guy."
"He is."
An uncomfortable silence started spreading throughout the room, both guys fidgeting with their vegetables.
"Thank you. You know for... I don't know..."
"Getting my kicked?"
A shy laughter escaped Tao's lips.
"Yeah I guess. You really aren't much of a fighter."
"Nah. I'm more of the make love not war type of guy. Besides, I thought it would be wrong hitting someone's father. Only now I'm starting to regret I didn't land a punch or two."
Kris received a small smile.
"I guess I should apologize for kneeing you in the stomach yesterday, huh?"
"It couldn't hurt."
"... I'm sorry. I freaked out. No one has ever seen the bruises before. So I panicked."
"It's okay. Although I gotta admit I was kinda disappointed when you didn't pull out your stick."
"For the last time, I do not carry a stick in my rear!"
Kris laughed. Slowly he got to his feet, taking Tao's hand.
"What are you doing?"
"I have a tub. You are going to soak in it, hug your legs or whatever and get into a fresh set of clothes."
"Why?"
"You look like you need it."

After Kris had drawn Tao a bath, lit some candles and poured in some of his favorite essential oils, Kris let Tao simmer in his bathroom. He quickly pulled out his cell-phone and messaged everyone from TCA.
'Emergency meeting, my place. 5... 30 minutes top.'

One by one people started showing up at his apartment. It somehow touched Kris that everyone came within 10 minutes just because he had asked them to.
Trying to hold back his tears, Tao suddenly entered the living room, wearing some of Kris's clothes.

"What's going on here?"
Luhan, apparently back to his own self, looked to Kris.
"Kris said there was an emergency meeting? Isn't that why you're here? And what is up with your outfit? You're not wearing black?"
Tao looked down himself. He was wearing grey sweatpants and a yellow T-shirt.
"This is Kris's."
"Oh my... You didn't sleep together did you?! Seriously Kris, if you are gay I have first dibs on your booty, you know that right?"
"Luhan, you're back. That's awesome. Guess I'll just have to put up my dream-catcher again. And check under my bed every night. And to think I was nightmare free for a full month."
"Erh, guys? I'm in a bit of a hurry...? What's the emergency?" Minseok stood tripping near the foyer.
"Shouldn't you be at work?" Lay tilted his head in curiosity.
"I was but then I got Kris's message. I told Kyungsoo to take over while I went on my lunch break. I have... less than 20 minutes to get back."
"Right, right. Will you tell them or should I?"
"I can't believe you called them here."
"... Have you guys been noticing bruises on Tao while you've known him?"
Silence.
"I have," Lay raised his hand.
"Isn't it just from practicing wushu?"
"No. Actually..."
"Alright!" Tao stepped up. He crossed his arms, keeping his gaze at the floor.
"They are not from practice. They are... they're... my father's doing."
A sharp intake of air from the newcomers, was the only sound heard.
"My dad... beats me up." Tao shrugged his shoulders.
"He can't go back there. His dad said he'd kill him if he did. Can anyone of you house Tao?"
Tao looked with surprise at Kris.
"I would've offered you to stay here but if anyone finds out, Kyungsoo and I will be kicked out. I can't do that to Kyungsoo."
"I have room."
"Me too."
"If you're willing to share a bed, you're more than welcome at my place as well, Tao."
Tao looked around at the people surrounding him with disbelief in his eyes. 'Friends' was a bit of a stretch but seeing them all offering to help him, touched something inside of him.  
"I'm the only one with a spare bedroom. Tao, if you'd like, come live with me. You can move in today if you want." Lay stepped forward, putting a gentle hand on his shoulder. Normally, Tao would've shied away from human touch but before he knew it, he had let Lay hug him, whispering comforting words to him. He finally let it go. All the pent up anger and frustration. The fear. The hurt. For once he let his tears flow freely, breaking the mask he had been carrying for far too long.
"Thank you. Thank you so much."
Minseok put a warm hand on his shoulder.
"You could've told us. We could've helped you sooner."
"I thought I could handle it on my own.  But I can't."
"The China Alliance may be stupid but we're here for one another." Minseok let go of Tao, pulling out his phone.
"Who are you calling?"
"Kyungsoo. He'll have to stay put for a little while longer. You'll need me when we go get your stuff back."
Tao turned around to face Kris. He didn't say a word, just let himself be vulnerable as he wrapped his arms around a warmly smiling Kris.
'I'm not alone.'
"Thank you. Kris."



A/N
Hi! I'll be uploading two chapters today because of the lack of Krisoo :) Hope it's okay :b