The group returned back to their dormitory prison with heavy heads and hearts. No one spoke or even glanced up as they were shuffled into their “home.” Lay was gone, for good.

“Everyone, before you head to your rooms, dinner will be ready at 7:30 tonight. I’d appreciate if you all showed up.” Suho still tried to act fatherly despite the loss of his lover.

Separating off to their rooms, Tao collapsed on the bed. Kris sat next to the younger and brushed his bangs back.

“Your forehead is really warm, do you have a fever?” he asked Tao.

“I think so.” Tao breathed heavily. Kris placed his lips on Tao’s forehead.

“You’re burning up, let me go get you some ice.” Kris tucked Tao under the bed sheets and left the room.

He heard a commotion of noise as he walked toward the kitchen, but it appeared empty. Checking every cabinet, Kris found Luhan curled up under the sink.

“Hi.” Kris held his poker face.

“Go away.”

“Want to tell me what’s wrong?” Kris asked the elder. Luhan simply closed the cabinet door and remained hidden. Kris knew he’d be upset for quite a while but under the sink? How strange…

Kris shrugged it off and returned to Tao with some water and an ice pack. Tao was starting to look extremely pale and had short harsh breaths.

“Oh my gosh.” Kris ran over to the other’s side. “You look awful.”

“Just what everyone wants to hear.” Tao gave a small laugh. Kris layed down next to the younger.

“Be careful, I might get you sick.” he coughed.

“Were you feeling bad this morning?” Kris rubbed Tao’s back.

“Not really. It just kinda hit me when we got home.”

“Is it because—"

“No.” Tao cut him off, “I just feel sick is all. I think I’ll take a nap.” Tao turned over. Kris scooted closer and wrapped his arms around Tao’s body.

“But are you okay is the question,” Tao pointed out.

“Probably not.” Kris hid his face into the younger’s back.

“It’s okay to be sad, Kris.”

“The worst part is what Suho said.” Tao could feel Kris quiver slightly and felt wet spots on the back of his shirt. “They were going to get married and live together. That’s just… so cruel. I can’t even imagine how Luhan must feel. He’s curled up under the sink.”

“Sehun probably kicked him out.”

“What are we going to do?” Kris clung tighter.

“Keep hope? Be hopeless? Whatever you want to. No one is going to judge you at this point.”

“What about you Tao, you’re going to stay here, right?”

“What do you mean?”

“You’re going to stay in this time and tough it out, right?”

“For now, I will since I need to be here for this you.” Tao smiled.

“Thank you, Tao.”

Both slipped into a light sleep. After lying there for a few hours, Kris woke up at the smell of meat. It smelled like pork curry. Without disturbing the sleeping panda, Kris snuck out of the room. He at least wanted to check on Suho and Luhan. Most everyone had gathered around the table, still mournful but more light-hearted than before.

“Hey Kris.” Suho seemed to brighten up as more people mingled into the dining room.

“Hi,” Kris replied awkwardly, unsure of whether or not to ask Suho how he was doing.

“I’m just curious… Is uh… is Tao going to come out too?” Suho looked hopeful.

“No, he’s really sick right now, so I think it’d be better if he just rested.”

“Oh… Okay.” Suho looked down.

“But look how many people did show up!” Kris tried to cheer him up.

“Yeah,” Suho smiled. “There are a few people I wish were here though, like Luhan. I was hoping he’d come.”

“He probably won’t...”

“I know… I was just being too hopeful.” Suho turned around put the finishing touches on dinner.

Everyone carried on light conversations about trivial things and Kris managed to join one. Sehun, D.O., and Baekhyun were talking about their favorite times of year.

“Mine is fall,” Sehun said clearly.

“You said a long time ago it was spring,” Baekhyun argued.

“It changed.”

“He just doesn’t want to say the others because they all have an “s” in it.” D.O. laughed.

Just as D.O. said that, Suho came out of the kitchen with a giant pot of curry. He served everyone individually, just as he had the night before.

“Eat up everyone.” Suho gave a weak smile.

With that, everyone ate quickly before returning to their rooms, no movie tonight. Kris checked up on Tao, who was awake but covered in sweat.

“How are you feeling?”

“Much better.” Tao smiled at the older as he approached him.

“One minute you have a fever, the next it’s gone… that’s so weird.” Kris felt Tao’s forehead to make sure.

“Yeah haha. I’d better shower, sorry for getting sweat all over your bed,” Tao apologized.

“It won’t be the last time,” Kris smirked to himself.

“What?” Tao looked up.

“What?”

“What did you say?”

“Nothing...”

“Oh…okay. I’m going to go ask Suho if he wants to shower with me~” Tao left the room.

Kris sighed heavily before heading to bed. After an hour he heard the door slowly open.

“Sorry, tired not to wake you,” Tao apologized.

“Don’t worry,” Kris mumbled and held out his arms for Tao to crawl into them. But Tao didn’t. He just stood there.

“What’s up?” Kris asked.

“I just think you look cute right now, expecting me to just into your arms as soon as you open them,” Tao teased.

“Fine then, sleep on your own bunk.” Kris turned over and pouted.

“Okay, but I’m just warning you Kai's up there.”

“Sleep here.” Kris sat up.

“That’s what I thought,” Tao said, surrounding himself in Kris’s warmth.

“Good night.”

“Hey… tomorrow is going to get even harder Kris… are you prepared for that?”

“No, but nothing I can do so…”

“Good night, Krissie.”

“Good night.” Kris sighed before giving his lover a peck on the cheek.