Chocolate & Caramel Apples
Cupid's Kitchen
~*{ Chapter Ten: Chocolate & Caramel Apples }*~
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Sehun could feel his knees shake as they waited at their terminal- departure time nearing in just minutes.
He hated heights. He hated flying and more than anything he hated airplanes.
"Are you alright?" Luhan asked softly and everyone turned their gaze to the shaking busser.
He looked pale and Kris finally understood why the younger one had objected in the first place.
Sehun's eyes searched for Tao, who had taken a trip to the bathroom, but failed to find him. He felt the tight constriction in his stomach and he had to use every ounce of strength to keep from throwing up his breakfast.
"Sehun??" Kyungsoo called when he saw Sehun sway slightly- looking like he was about to pass out and they hadn't even gotten on the plane yet.
"Sehun, You should sit down." Luhan spoke softly, sincerely worried for the younger one. This was the first time the young busser had looked so vulnerable and Luhan couldn't help but feel bad for him.
Sehun could feel his heart drum against his chest and just as he swayed back, he felt arms wrap securely around his waist.
He relaxed almost immedeietly at the familiar embrace.
"What took you so long?" Sehun grumbled as he glanced up at his taller friend.
Tao smiled apologetically at Sehun as he tightened his grip. "I'm sorry. There were alot of people in the bathroom and I had to wait my turn. It's alright. I'm here now."
Everyone watched, curiosity further peaking, at the two young ones. Sehun's eyes fluttered close as he leaned his back against Tao.
"Zizi, I don't think I can do this...." Sehun breathed and Tao began to rub soothing circles on the shorter one's stomach.
"Just take deep breaths, alright? I won't leave your side, so don't worry. Breath in, breath out. " Tao whispered and he felt the shorter one relax in his arms. Tao met the gazes of everyone else and shrugged slightly.
"He has severe claustrophobia and acrophobia which contributes to his aerophobia. " Tao explained and everyone gave silent nods.
"I'm sorry, I didn't know." Kris mumbled and Tao was taken aback by the apology.
"Don't apologize. It's not your fault that you didn't know." Tao replied back and the two exchanged a soft gaze for the first time.
The minutes ticked by and the moment Sehun was dreading finally arrived. Tao turned the younger one to face him and cupped the busser's face- bringing their foreheads together.
"Take deep breaths and just concentrate on keeping calm. I'll be right besides you the whole time." Tao mumbled and Sehun nodded weakly as he nuzzled his nose against the taller one's.
"Alright, let's go." Tao said softly and Sehun intertwined their fingers together- allowing Tao to guide him into the airplane.
Tao and Sehun ended up being the last ones to board as the Pastry Chef had to take his time to lead Sehun onto the plane. The only two seats left where the ones next to Kris and Tao hesitated. He glanced down at his young friend who clung onto him in fear.
Putting Sehun further away from the window was the right thing to do. He gave a soft sigh and met Kris' gaze.
"Do you mind?" Tao asked softly and once more a soft expression flickered across Kris' features.
"Go ahead." Kris answered back and Tao took the seat next to the Assistant General Manager as Sehun reluctantly took the seat next to him.
Kris watched as Tao pulled headphones and a small iPod from his carry on bag. The Pastry Chef flashed a soft smile towards Sehun before sliding the headphones over the younger one's ears. Sehun returned the smile, fingers still locked with Tao's, and settled back into the seat- closing his eyes to drown out everything else but the music.
"Is he alright?" Luhan asked softly as he had glanced behind him- his eyes landing on a pale Sehun that was snuggled into Tao' side with eyes slammed shut.
Tao smiled softly at the baby-faced hostess and nodded. "Yes. For now, he's alright. "
"Oh, alright." Luhan stated, stealing one more glance at the pale busser before he settled back into his seat next to Xiumin.
The flight was two hours long and thankfully Sehun had fallen asleep about an hour into the flight.
Kris watched as Tao slowly slid his fingers from Sehun's and reached for a blanket. He pulled the blanket to cover the young busser and gently, he brushed lose strands from Sehun's face.
Kris saw a small, gentle smile grace the Pastry Chef's lips and he was kind of shocked. Tao was extremely sweet towards Sehun and he couldn't help but wonder how it would be like if he received the same sort of treatment.
Kris had unknowingly drifted into his thoughts as he stared at the Pastry Chef.
"Uh...what?" Tao asked, his voice drawing Kris back to reality.
"Huh?"
"uh....You were staring at me....do I have something on my face? Or is there something you want to say?"
Kris could feel his cheeks burn and he quickly turned away to look out the window at the clouds below.
"N-No."
Tao paused as he studied the taller one. "Why do you hate me ?"
Kris snapped his head to look at the younger one- completely taken aback at the sudden question. Tao's eye flickered with a hint of sadness as he awaited the taller one's answer.
"I don't h-hate you, Tao...." Kris mumbled and Tao's mouth pulled down into a frown.
"Then why? Am I not good enough? Is it my age? My looks? What is it?" Tao demanded, but his voice was only loud enough for Kris to hear.
They were just inches apart now as they gazed at each other and Kris gave a sigh- remembering what Suho had said the other day. Tao was brilliant and talented- there was no way on earth Kris could deny that.
Just as Kris opened his mouth to speak, the young busser stirred from his sleep.
"Tao...?" Sehun called softly out as he groggily fumble his hands with the air, panic seeping in when he didn't feel the younger one's fingers intertwined with his own. "Tao..??"
The fear was rising in Sehun's voice as the younger one was still half asleep. Tao quickly pulled the younger one into a soft hug.
"I'm right here. I'm right here. Don't panic." Tao whispered softly and the younger one snuggled into him. Sehun fisted Tao's shirt as he took deep breaths- trying to calm down.
"Is he alright?" Kris and Luhan asked- almost simultaneously.
Tao nodded and as he repeatedly ran his fingers through Sehun's hair as the younger one hid his face in Tao's shirt.
"I-I'm fine...." Sehun answered through a weak voice.
The Hostess and Assistant General Manager settled back into their seats as they watched Tao further sooth the younger one by humming a soft tune. The iPod had fallen onto Sehun's lap, taking the headphones with it, when the younger one had panicked.
"Would you like something to eat?" Tao asked softly after a couple minutes passed by. Sehun pulled back slowly to look up at the taller one.
Sehun nodded weakly and Tao reached for his bag, pulling out a small container.
He opened the container and a blast of apples, chocolate, and caramel flooded Kris' nostrils.
Tao had prepared some glazed apples, much to Sehun's delight. Tao picked one up and brought it to the younger one's lips.
Sehun flashed a small smile before taking the caramel chocolate covered apple piece into his mouth. Tao laughed softly at Sehun's satisfied expression and turned to the older one, holding the container towards Kris.
"Want one?" Tao asked and Kri stared in shock at the sweet apples in front of him.
"Uh...sure..." Kris mumbled as he took a piece and chewed it slowly. It was very sweet, but it was delicious nonetheless.
A small snicker left Tao lips and Kris looked the the young one in confusion.
"What....?" Kris asked, slightly annoyed.
"Bib much?" Tao jeered as he reached up and used his thumb to while the excess chocolate from Kris' bottom lip.
Kris jolted at the contact and his eyes locked with Tao's. Kris could feel his cheeks burn and a small smirk found its way to Tao lips.
Kris' eyes got ten times bigger as he watched Tao bring his chocolate covered thumb to his mouth- teasingly while his eyes were still on Kris.
The sight sent a jolt through Kris as his body heat seemed to spike and Tao's deep, dark eyes surely caught it all. He smirked one more before he turned back to Sehun and out of the corner of his eye, he could practically see Kris' baffled expression.
Kris just froze for a few minutes.
Apples, Chocolate, Caramel and Tao.
Zi Tao.
ing Huang Zi Tao.
Kris' mind suddenly seemed to fly in all directions as the scene of Tao the chocolate off his own thumb replayed over and over again.
Sehun on the hand, gobbled down the apples - completely oblivious to the blooming besides him.
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AN:// updating frenzy cuz EXO-M winning awards....my heart....so happy..the tears...ugh theyre all perfect....anyways, Authornim loves you all :) ~ ^^
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