Chapter 45

"So what's the next story?" Amber asked and looked around at her aunts and uncles as they took their seats in the living room.

"I think it must be your uncle Minseok and uncle Jongdae's turn," Jongin said.

"Finally," Ji Yong groaned, as he leaned up against his baba.

The Chinese members came back from an interview. They came to their China dorm and unlike Kris who went to take a shower and Tao who sat down on the couch, Xiumin immediately went to his room. Chen was the only one who took notice.

Xiumin sat down on his bed and hid his face in his two hands. He wouldn't want anyone ever to find out that he was crying. He was the oldest. His dongsaengs shouldn't worry. It was almost a year since they debuted and he felt really close to all the members - both the Korean and Chinese. But still he wouldn't let his tears show. They shouldn't know that he was weak. They were all already more handsome and more talented than he was; if they knew he was also weak... no, he wouldn't let that happen.

A soft knock was heard on the door.

"Xiumin hyung?" It was Chen's voice.

"What is it?" Xiumin choked out after quickly wiping away his tears and hoped his red eyes didn't show.

"Can I come in?"

Xiumin hesitated and swallowed to clear his throat. "Sure," he said and the door opened and Chen stepped in. He closed the door behind him and sat down on Xiumin's bed.

"Are you okay?" Chen asked him. He looked and sounded worried.

"Of course! Why wouldn't I be?" Xiumin smiled at him, hoping it sounded convincing. Usually he was pretty good at lying and pretending, so Chen shouldn't be able to notice.

"Because you hurried inside your room immediately after we got back. And because I noticed that you looked sad when the interviewer asked about Korea. It might only have been for a millisecond, hyung, but I noticed." But Chen was different. Xiumin's smile faded and he looked down.

"I'm fine, Chen. You shouldn't worry."

"But I do," Chen insisted. Xiumin didn't say anything, what should he say? "Look, hyung." Chen put his hand on top of Xiumin's and Xiumin looked at him. "I miss Korea too. I miss my mom and dad and my brother. I miss the Korean members. I'm not even good at Chinese, it's hard to understand and it's hard to speak. But because of you, I miss it all a bit less." Xiumin looked questioningly at him. "Thanks to you I'm not the only Korean member in this house. I would be so lost without you, hyung. I'm glad we have each other."

Xiumin looked away again. He could feel the tears again because of Chen's mention of his family and the other members. He wished Chen would just go, so he could cry in peace.

But Chen didn't go. Instead he looked at Xiumin. "It's okay to cry, Minseok. I'm here for you."

He hated Chen for letting his tears fall, but nonetheless he broke down and cried into Chen's shoulder, as Chen hugged him and patted his back comfortingly. It felt nice to have Chen's arms around his form while he cried. And it was true what Chen said: he was glad that they had each other too. He loved the other members and was good friends with them too, but it was just different to have someone Korean as himself by his side. And Chen was different. He had always cared for Xiumin in a way Xiumin couldn't describe. But it felt nice. Chen was so caring and loving; he only wanted the best for everyone around him. Also he made Xiumin feel relaxed and comfortable. He made him loosen up and be silly together with him. It was nice.

As Xiumin had finished sobbing, he looked back up at Chen. Chen had a friendly smile on his face.

"I'm sorry, Chen. I shouldn't have cried in front of you." Xiumin dried his eyes with the back of his hand.

Chen just smiled his caring smile. "It's okay, hyung. Don't apologize. Even though I'm younger than you, it shouldn't mean that you can't cry in front of me. You don't have to always lock yourself up." Chen stretched out his arm and put his index finger to Xiumin's cheek to wipe away a tear. Xiumin gave a small smile back. "You know we all worry about you. We are EXO." This made Xiumin smile genuinely as he choked out a small laugh. "We are family." Chen's expression had suddenly become serious. And without Xiumin's consent, Chen leaned forward and connected his lips with the older's. Xiumin didn't move. He was too shocked. All he did was widen his eyes. His brain and body didn't seem to work. And before he gained back his senses, Chen pulled away again.

"I'm sorry, hyung," Chen said, although it was clear to anyone that he did not have the slightest regret of kissing him. "No, actually I'm not," he took back his apology and Xiumin furrowed his brows, finally able to move a little bit. "I'm not sorry for kissing you."

Xiumin pressed his lips to a thin line unconsciously. How could he just have kissed him like that? And not even apologize for it? How could he have kissed him like that, while Xiumin did nothing? He hadn't had time to react before it was over. Why did he kiss him?

"Hyung, I like you," Chen continued. "And not the 'we are members' kind of way." He shook his head. "No, I like you, like I really like you."

Xiumin furrowed his brows even more. What? Why?

"See! How can you be so cute when you are doing nearly nothing?" Chen exclaimed with a slight laugh. Xiumin noticed he was pouting unconsciously and quickly regained a straight face, with no pouting and no furrowing of eyebrows.

"W-why?" Xiumin's throat had gotten dry and he had to cough before he could continue. "H-how do you like me?"

Chen giggled. "What do you mean 'how'? I like you Minseok. I want to be your boyfriend. And 'why'? Well, let's see. For once, you're really cute. Second, you're smart. Third, handsome. Fourth, funny. Fifth, caring. Sixth, adorable and contagious when you smile. Need I go on?" Chen raised one eyebrow and Xiumin didn't know what to say.

"Suho's going to be mad..." Xiumin mumbled and looked at the floor. Chen laughed.

"He's not going to be mad," he said. "And if he does, I won't care. But if it matters to you, I'll make sure it's not a problem. Does that mean..." he moved a bit closer, "you like me back?" Xiumin looked up and into his eyes.

"Does it mean you'll kiss me again?" Xiumin asked back hesitantly, without answering Chen's question. He could feel that he blushed from the way the heat suddenly rose to his cheeks. Chen giggled.

"Well I hope you will let me," he said. "Or else I don't think I can survive." Xiumin couldn't help but smile and Chen took it as a sign to lean closer, but when his face was almost all the way to Xiumin's, he stopped, letting Xiumin lean the last inch closer. This time Xiumin kissed him back, pressing his lips against his dongsaeng's and Chen smiled into the kiss.

Again it was Chen who pulled back, making Xiumin say a small sound like a whine. Chen grinned.

"So do you like me?" Chen asked him. Xiumin nodded.

"Yeah, I like you, you pabo!"

"And are we boyfriends now?" He had to ask to be sure. Xiumin rolled his eyes.

"If you still want me."

Chen laughed. "Of course I want you!"

"Then shut up and kiss me again!"

Chen laughed and hurried to obey his new boyfriend.

Ji Yong sat upright in the couch and looked at Minseok and Jongdae.

"Was that the reason you were together? Because you were lonely and liked the fact you had each other in China."

"Ji Yong, don't interpret it like that. That's not the reason," Minseok said and looked firmly at his son. Ji Yong raised his eyebrows in a way to tell them to convince him.

"I was in love with your appa, Ji Yong. It wasn't just because we were the only Korean members in China. I also liked him in Korea. I liked his personality and his looks and everything about him, so I fell for him. If you can't understand that, then it's fine. But I'm sure you will feel like that for someone one day too," Jongdae told, getting a bit tired of the questioning thirteen-year-old. Ji Yong didn't say anything, but seemed to accept his uncle's statement.

"But what about uncle Kyungsoo?" Hayoung asked Jongdae with innocence. He smiled at her.

"I also love him. I'm not in love with uncle Minseok anymore, don't worry. Now the only one for me is Kyungsoo, and there’s never going to be another," Jongdae said and smiled at Kyungsoo who smiled back.

Hayoung turned her eyes to Kyungsoo and looked expectantly at him.

"I'm only in love with Jongdae. No need to worry, Hayoung," Kyungsoo said after he understood the girl's unspoken question when she kept staring at him. After he reassured her, Hayoung smiled at him and gave him two thumps up. He grinned.

"Why are you suddenly so worried about them, honey?" Sehun asked the girl.

She shrugged. "Just to know if we're all staying together. I don't want them to live with others."

"Of course we're staying together - all of us. We're family!" Jongdae said.

"We're not leaving for the next many years," Kyungsoo agreed with a nod.

"Not even then. We'll stay together," Yixing said and they smiled at him to agree.

"And none of us are splitting up," Baekhyun said and grabbed Chanyeol's hand.

"Anyways, should we end it with that? Go to bed?" Taemin said.

"I'm not tired. Can't we stay up a little longer?" Chanhee said and looked pleadingly at his parents.

"No, Chanhee; it's late," Minseok replied and Chanhee pouted.

"I'm not tired either," Aron said.

"Aron, it's not up to discussion," Yi Fan said.

"Same goes for you, Chanhee," Lu Han said.

"Can I go to bed?" Taehyung asked. Baekhyun looked surprised at him, but nodded. Taehyung stood up from his seat and went to the bedroom. Chanyeol and Baekhyun looked at each other.

"Is he okay?" Baekhyun asked his husband, getting a bit worried as the boy usually wouldn't ask permission to go to bed ‘early’.

"I think so," Chanyeol answered, but also seemed a bit nervous. "I'll go check." Chanyeol stood and went after his little boy.

"Namjoo, should we get you ready for bed?" Jongdae said and stood from his seat as well. The little girl nodded and grabbed his hand.

"Me too!" Hayoung went after them down the hallway.

Sehun and Zitao looked at each other. It was clear to see on their faces that they were a bit sad that their little girl apparently didn't need or want their help. But all of that changed when the girl came right back out the bedroom door and called for them to come.

"Appa, baba! We need to go to bed!" she called and Zitao and Sehun silently smiled, and Sehun stood up to go help her getting ready. She waited for him to come, and when he reached her, she smiled and he carried her into the room.

"I'll go up too," Ji Yong said and lazily stood from the couch. His parents looked after him as he walked up the stairs, making sure he did alright.

Chanyeol came back into the living room and smiled at Baekhyun reassuring as he sat back down by Baekhyun’s side.

"He was just tired," he said and Baekhyun sighed relieved. "He's getting his pajamas on and then he'll brush his teeth." Baekhyun nodded with a smile and took Chanyeol's hand.

"I'm going to bed. Then it becomes morning sooner," Amber said reasonable and stood, to go to her room upstairs.

"I'll do the same," Luna said. "You coming up to say goodnight?" she asked Baekhyun and Chanyeol who both nodded.

"We'll be up in a couple of minutes," Chanyeol said with a smile and she nodded and went upstairs behind Amber.

"Goodnight," Sohee said as she also stood from her seat. "See you in the morning!"

"We'll come and say goodnight!" Lu Han called after her and he received an "okay" as she ran up the stairs.

"I don't want to go to bed yet," Changjo pouted but couldn't help but rub his eyes and yawn.

Taemin smiled. "You're tired, baby. You need to sleep. And like Amber said; the sooner you'll fall asleep, the sooner the morning comes; at least that’s what it will feel like."

"Okay then..." the boy mumbled and stood up. "But Byunghun hyung has to sleep too!"

Jongin grinned. "Don't worry, you won't miss anything. Your brother has to go to bed too." He sent a gaze Byunghun's direction and his older boy nodded. Changjo nodded too, feeling assured, and went to the bedroom.

"Minki, go in the room and put on your pajamas. Eomma and I will check on you in some minutes," Joonmyun said and Minki did as he was told, too tired to argue.

"Are you too tired to walk on your own?" Kyungsoo asked Jonghyun who was sitting on the floor. The boy shook his head and hesitantly stood on his feet. He yawned. "Okay, get ready. If you need help, call for me." Jonghyun nodded and slowly walked to the room, where currently Taehyung, Minki and Changjo were getting ready to go to sleep.

"Junhong, let's brush your teeth," Zitao said and took the little boy by the hand so they could go brush his teeth in the bathroom.

"Chanhee, I'm serious, you have to go to bed now." Minseok looked at the boy who was sitting on the couch, talking to Aron and Byunghun.

"I'm going upstairs," Sandara told Kyungsoo and he nodded.

"Can't I at least finish my story?" Chanhee asked.

"No. Do it on your way up to your room," Minseok said with a firm voice.

"Seriously? That's not fair!" the boy exclaimed. Aron looked at the ground awkwardly.

"Chanhee, we don't want to argue with you right now. Just go to your room and get ready for bed; it’s late," Lu Han said. The eight-year-old looked angry but stood up nonetheless and went up the stairs, stomping his way on every step.

Minseok sighed.

"Should I go talk to him?" Lu Han suggested.

"No, it's fine. Just let him calm down by himself."

"Do I really have to go up right now?" Aron mumbled to Yi Fan.

"No, it's okay, you can wait down here for a bit," his dad said, knowing his son didn't like confrontations and arguments. Aron leaned his head on his shoulder. And Byunghun looked to his parents, to know if it was okay if he also waited just for a little bit. They nodded.

After a little while the boys went up to their room and Chanhee had calmed down. He was lying in his bed ready to sleep, but didn't want to say goodnight to his parents when they came in. The other kids also got ready for bed and after the parents had said goodnight, they sat in the living room again, talking. But it didn't take long for them either, before they slowly disbanded and went to sleep.

A/N: Hello, my dear readers! I hope you all had a very happy Christmas and entered the New Year in a festive and safe manner! I hope you all will have a beautiful year ^_^

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