Kris was usually a composed individual, but Tao's statement felt like someone had just dumped a bucket of cold water on him--which is a feat in itself because he was taller than most people. 

 

So Kris was internally panicking because there was absolutely no way Tao was serious. Nope. None. 

 

"Pardon?" Kris asked, hoping that he had misheard and instead Tao told him something like 'let's go on a slide.'

 

"I said, 'We're going on a ride,'" he reiterated, grin ever present and widening when Kris seemed flustered. 

 

"But you've only given me one lesson," Kris protested, as much as he enjoyed the prospect he really liked his body being in one piece. 

 

"Well, you said there's a time limit, I'm going to make sure you're ready by then," he smirked knowingly, "You'll be so good Luhan won't even believe it."

 

Kris had to admit he was touched Tao was determined to teach him and he gave the bike a longing glance, "I've only ever reached 15 miles per hour, I can't drive in traffic, I'll die," he put grimly. 

 

 

"You'll be fine, I'll be right next to you," Tao added. 

 

Just like the first time, Tao was undeterred.

 

Kris sighed in resignation, he walked over to the bike, it was much better than the one he had practiced on, and it was his now. This bike was his incentive, as long as he didn't kill it or himself he had a motorcycle he could use. 

He slid on long leg over, sitting comfortably on the leather seat that was already warmed by the sun. 

After kicking the stand up, he put the keys in the ignition. A low purr and steady rumble vibrated Kris as the bike started, much better than the last bike. 

Tao quickly got off his bike, handing him the helmet that was in his back pack, "You're going to need this more than me," he chuckled. 

Kris threw him a gracious smile and he slipped it over his head. The sleek black matched the bikes dark body, midnight blue. 

Tao practically skipped back to his bike before starting it up and circling around to end up right next to Kris, "Quick review, where is first gear?"

"All the way down," Kris said firmly, "The rest are clicks upwards."

"Perfect," Tao glanced around the empty parking lot, "Follow me and my speed," he said before heading forward at steady, slow pace. 

"I can do this," Kris mumbled to himself behind the helmet, gearing down and slowly catching up to Tao. 

Tao smiled at him slowly increasing his speed until he clutched into second gear, Kris followed suit. So far so good. 

Tao then gave him a mischievous winking and took off, the roar of the bike growing, small pauses in between as he geared up. 

The distance between them was growing, and Kris tentatively reached higher speeds. Twenty-five, thirty, shift up. Thirty five-forty, shift up. Tao slowed down a bit until they were nearly side by side, Tao half in front as they did laps in the long vacant parking lot. 

Fifty, fifty five. Shift up. Kris's first time in fifth gear and he felt an inexplicable sense of achievement. Emboldened he accelerated once more, earning a loud roar before speeding a few feet ahead of Tao. He glanced behind his shoulder, Tao's mouth opened in a surprised 'o' before it was all just grinning teeth as he sped up ahead, Tao sending him a teasing wink just as he passed him. 

Kris followed quickly until they were side by side again, Kris looked at him, Tao's hair was thrashing violently at these speed, and that ever present grin probably permenantly etched onto his beautiful face. Kris blamed the adrenaline, his heart was beating quicker and quicker, it had to be the speed, the roar of power, that was making it hard to breathe. 

Tao raised a hand and gave him a thumbs up, before pointing down. 

Kris was completely lost as to what that meant before Tao disappeared from his vision. 

He turned around to find him slowing down quickly, his left foot pressing down until he was at a complete stop. 

Oh. Shift down. 

Kris immidately clutched and shifted to fourth, the bike roared in protest and the jolt nearly threw him off. 

Never downshift without slowing down or braking first, he then remebered. 

Again, he used the back brake to lose speed before gearing down, this time the transition much smoother. 

By the time he had slowed down to an acceptable speed, Tao was a small figure in the distance. 

He slowly made his way over, enjoying the ride. The sun warmed the air that glided over his skin comforably, it was an ineluctable feeling of freedom. The smell of exhaust trailed behind him and made him slightly giddy, if not dizzy. 

By the time he was back at Tao's side, the other was clapping for him, leaning against the bike slightly. 

Kris couldn't keep the smile off his face, as soon as the helmet came off everything was a little bright, especially Tao's smile. 

"Good job," Tao encouraged enthusiastically, "Slow on the the stop though," he added. 

Kris nodded, "I forgot I wasn't supposed to just downshift," and gave a sheepish tiny grin. 

"You didn't die though. Let's practice stops a bit more and then we'll head off," he said already slipping a leg over the motorcycle. 

After twenty minutes of playing red light, green light, Kris finally felt more in control of the bike. 

Tao eased his way around before honking at Kris to get his attention, "Now the real deal!" He shouted as he made his way to the exit, waiting or Kris to follow. 

Rush hour had ended, but the streets were still fairly crowded. Usually Tao liked to weave his way through traffic but knew Kris would probably fall behind. 

At the first stop light, Tao nudged Kris with his hand, "Don't stall," he teased. 

Tao couldn't see his face from behind the helmet but Kris nodded all the same. 

When the light changed green, Kris smoothly got the bike going, keeping up with Tao as they rode across town, sometimes racing to beat yellow lights and Kris couldn't help but enjoy the rebellious feeling. Kris Wu the badass. 

After a few more minutes, Tao was motioning he was about to turn and put his signal. He slowed his speed and wobbled a bit as he turned, for a split second he thought he would fall off but regained control quickly. 

Before he knew it they parked alongside each other at a shop. 

"What's this place?" Kris asked as he lowered the kickstand. 

Tao answered him by taking the helmet off Kris's head, "You need a helmet that isn't mine," he teased with an amused smile. 

Kris nodded as he followed the other, he was one to usually go to these type of stores, but it seemed Tao was a regular. They barely walked inside and half of the guys working registers waved or gave him nod of acknowledgement. 

"Come here often?" he said without any negative emotion, simple curiousity. 

Tao shrugged before hauling him one more aisle, "Step right up, pick a color any color," he said as the reached the display for a variety of helmets, "I suggest this one," Tao said holding an obscenely bright pink on up to his head. 

Kris could help but laugh, agreeing playfully before reaching out for a clean white helmet with a single black band around the center. 

"I like this one," he out simply before walking back toward the registers, Tao follow quickly suit as he put back the pink helmet. 

"Tao!" one of the older men greeted, "It's been a while since you've seen us. Always hanging out at the shop near the school instead," he jibed playfully as he scanned the helmet, "Is this a friend?" He gestured to Kris who was standing awkwardly with a pleasant smile. 

"He's alright," Tao admitted, a small mile on his lip; Kris was sure the fluttering in his gut wasn't adrenaline.

The two chatted, the large man with grease stained hands asking him to come back so he could teach home how to install an alternator. 

Tao nodded, bidding everyone a farewell as they two exited the automotive place. 

"I'm convinced every mechanic in this city knows who you are," Kris teased. 

"It's nice when they're all so eager to teach me, makes it easier to show off in class," he grinned without an ounce of humility. 

Kris chuckled and rolled his eyes, "So what now?"

"I know an area on the outskirts of town we can practice your stopping and shifting," Tao then hesitated, "We will have to get on the interstate to get there though."

"Oh."

"You'll be fine, it's just like on the streets just faster," Tao encouraged, "Just pull over to the shoulder when you're not sure what to do."

Kris nodded, securing the helmet on his head. The beating in his chest seemed to outdo the roar of the bike as the two left the parking lot and merged into the street. 

He had to admit riding had become much easier since the first time he rode a bike, at slower speeds between lights he felt more comfortable as well. 

It was the last light before the turn for the interstate. Tao gave him a thumbs up just before the light changed green and Kris followed suit, shifting up quickly until Kris was behind him. 

At speeds of 75, Kris could hear the static-like noise of the wind, he leaned lower to avoid too much drag. Luckily for him, the traffic stayed constant with no unexpected stopping. Tao had been mindful and stuck close rather than trying to get Kris to weave through. 

After about fifteen minutes, Tao was already signaling towards the exit and Kris hoped he could down shift in time to avoid what happened that morning. 

This time he used both breaks, letting off te gas and clicking down back to first all before getting to the stop sign. 

He grinned, proud of himself but Tao couldn't see it and instead he just held a thumbs up and Tao nodded. 

After a few more turns they arrived to an empty stretch. 

Tao stopped and took off his helmet, the engine humming under him. 

"It's a five mile stretch here because the used to test some local airplacnes. I'm going to ride towards the end and you have to hit a speed of 80, as soon as you see me start shifting down so you can stop right before you pass me. Pretend I'm a stop sign," he joked. 

"You should have worn red today then," Lris said after taking off his helmet and letting the wind cool his face. 

"Or I could be like the western girls I'm race and stand at the finish line with a checkered flag and tight shorts," he smirked before securing the helmet and going off to the end, the roar of the bike growing distant. 

Kris was sure he was still gaping, because visual imagination was a sinful thing. 

He took a calming breath and slipped on the helmet. He took off, leaning forward as he reached the top speed, the open space creating more drag than anticipated. 

Soon after, Kris saw a tiny black figure in the distance, he wanted to shift down but decided to challenge himself and give himself a hitter stopping distance. 

He surprised himself, by the time he stopped he was only three feet passed Tao. 

"Congratulation you just rear ended someone," he heard Tao say as he walked over.

Kris smiled anyway, enjoying the buzzing adrenaline in his body, "I'll do better next time."

After peacticing for an hour, Kris finally got the hang of it and with a very loud and proud "Woohoo!" two fists in the air. 

Tao gave him an amused look but clapped him on the shoulder, "Good job."

Kris gave him a shy smile, murmuring a thank you. 

"It's getting dark we should head towards the city, are you hungry?" Tao asked. 

Kris's stomach answered for him by growling at that precise moment and flushed. 

"I take that as a yes, I'll buy us dinner," and with that was ready to make it back to the bustling city. 

This time he felt comfortable on the interstate, even passing a few cars and leaving Tao behind. By the time they were finally on the streets again, His stomach was protesting again and he was content when Tao finally pulled over to a ramen shop. 

It was small, but luckily not too many diners. They took a seat at a booth and waited for the young woman to come with a menu. 

"You did well up there," Tao started, "I was surprised you passed me."

Kris said nothing but gave him a smile. 

When their orders were taken, Kris noticed Tao's eyes follow the attractive woman as she walked towards the kitchen. 

Kris couldn't help but pout slightly. He sipped at the water she brought out and petulantly stared out the window. 

They sat in silence until their food came, a couple pairs of chop sticks set between them and the woman winked at Tao on her way out and noticed they way he smiled at her and suddenly didn't feel hungry anymore. 

"Sehun and I tend to come here a lot," Tao started. 

Kris only nodded in acknowledgement, quietly eating his food. 

"Is the food alright?"

This time Kris offered a quiet, "Yes."

Tao gave him a concerned look, "You're frowning, is the food bad?"

Kris decided to cover it up and instead gave him a bright smile, "Just a bit tired, it's a heavy bike," and waved a hand dismissively. 

Tao smiled back, spring off to a story about his first bike that was almost as heavy as Kris's and how it nearly crushed him when he was younger--who gets a motorcycle at 13?

Somewhere in between the jokes and teasing, Kris found himself happy again as the two chatted after pushing their empty bowls aside. 

"You've improved so much," Tao offered offhandly, "I'm sure Luhan will be impressed and you'll win your little bet."

That prospect made Kris very happy until it was as if he heard a recorded scratch. 

"Once I teach you, you leave me alone."

He remembers one if the conditions that had brought Tao to finally teach him due to his initial rejection. 

But we're friends now, Kris thought. He remembered today in the shop but then again Tao never said friends only that he's "alright."

Kris berated himself. He had grown too find of Tao, he didn't lie to himself. He knew he had developed something akin to a crush for the other male. He wasn't the aloof, dark haired man he thought before, he was nice and funny and handsome. And Kris internally groaned, he was stupid to have thought Tao's bright smiles toward him were anything special. 

As if things could get worse, the woman returned with their bill, slipping a small paper into Tao's hand. 

She gave him a flirty smile before sauntering back into the kitchen, Tao's eyes tracing her receding body.

"I think she's new," Tao said smirking at the slip in his hand, "I've never seen her before, but I guess we'll be coming back more often."

Kris played along and nodded. Quite ready for the night to be over already. 

Tao paid the bill as promised leaving a generous tip as they left. 

"Want me to follow you back home so you're ok?" Tao asked, mounting the bike, "It's night time I don't know if you feel comfortable with it."

"You said Luhan would be impressed by my skill, I'm sure I can make it back home on my own," he said trying to keep his tone even. 

"Oh," and Kris was sure he was imagining the slightly disappointed tone, "Are you free tomorrow? We could practice some more and celebrate with a movie or something," he offered. 

"I'm busy," was all Kris said and started the ignition, "Maybe next time, thank you for the food and everything," he said slightly defeated. 

Tao nodded, but smile from before changed to a pair of furrowed eyebrows and slight disappointed expression. 

"I guess I'll see you around then," Tao added waving Kris goodbye. 

Kris just nodded his head before merging on to the street. 

Tao heard the roar fade away and the bike with a sigh. 

 

When Kris finally arrived home he locked up the bike am trudged up the stairs with no energy. He entered his apartment and slipped off his shoes and dived into his bed and stared up at the ceiling until he fell asleep. 

 

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

A/N

 

So spacing is weird sorry ill fix it later but I hope you like the new the chapter:)

also Hannah called me queen of angst I swear this story has a happy ending!

~SillyAh