Inertia: a tendency to do nothing or to remain unchanged.

Tao knew the first time he saw Kris that he wanted to be his friend. Kris knew that friendship would never really be enough. 

Tao had seen a kindred spirit when he first met Kris. They both came from foreign countries, and both were Chinese. Both had been branded cold by the others. When the other Chinese trainees got annoyed with translating for him, Kris did so with a smile, and continued to help with the younger's Korean, even when it was 3 a.m. and Tao insisted with teary eyes that Kris go to bed as he translated the kind comments Tao's fans gave to him. It was after this Tao knew he had a friend for life. 

Kris knew when his heart skipped a beat at seeing the panda-esque boy's face that he was in too deep. Back in Canada he had accepted that he could get feelings for all genders, so that aspect was nothing new to him. It was seeing Tao get nervous sweats after the girls for SNSD walked by that Kris knew he was cursed to simply being the best friend that he could be. 

Which he didn't mind. Too much. Just being around him was enough for now. It was enough for Kris when he could make Tao smile a smile that made the sun seem dim. It was enough when he got to witness the younger boy's eyes ignite as he practiced flipping through the air, only to break out in a warm grin after and give Kris a excited hug because he finally got the move he'd been trying for months. Kris definitely felt the absence of Tao in his arms afterward, but he was used to the dull ache he felt in his chest.

As more trainees joined and their company formed a group, Exo, Tao found himself the most happy and comfortable with people he had been in years. He was able to become close with a group of people filled to the brim with talent and found himself enjoying every minute. Of course, sometimes he said otherwise. The practices that spanned an entire day were grueling. Having to work at martial arts, singing, rapping, and dancing was nothing new but definitely much harder. He felt the pressure, and was often vocal about it, having been told by Kris that holding in emotions makes your skin bad. But when the members listened, even when Tao was aware he was perhaps being a bit unreasonable, he knew he was in the right place.

Being made the leader, Kris found himself being branded as the cold city boy once again. He knew why. It was the pang of jealousy he felt when he found he was no longer Tao's only confidant, the only one to receive his affection, the only one to see the sparks in his eyes as he jumped through the air. It caused him to distance himself from the members, except Tao, and give the bare minimum of what was required.

He did eventually make friends; he had to. It would seem strange otherwise, and he couldn't bear the thought of Tao knowing he made his heart flutter. Chanyeol and Kris quickly became close. And soon, he opened more and more, his jealousy lessening. Especially when his and the panda's managers told them they would have to do some skinship, which really tested Kris' acting skills, as he tried to pull the same frown as Tao. 

Time passed and the members noticed the lingering looks their leader gave Tao. They weren't blind, but they weren't against it either. It was nice to know their leader was capable of emotions. 

Of course, sometimes Kris wished he wasn't. It would mean not feeling his heart shatter when the touching stopped once the cameras were off. It would mean he would finally be able to sleep better, the frustration of never being able to move forward not plaguing him.

It was when Tao walked into the dorm with a haircut that framed his face and a sunny smile  that Kris knew he would never be able to get out of the well he dug himself. 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

a/n: Hi~ So this is my first work on here. Feel free to comment, but be gentle, please, I'm new. T.T 
Of course, I would love feedback. I know this chapter, which is really more of a prologue, is very meh. And short. 
This chapter is building toward what is to come-- setting up their relationship. 
More to come soon! I don't really have an editor or anything, so this is all going to take a while to update. And most likely seems a little rough around the edges. 
Until next time, thank you, and wish me luck!~