After much planning, one of his favorite days of the year arrived. Around him, a couple of his friends and teammates were practically sleepwalking, but early morning air, especially on mild Saturdays, always seemed to improve his mood.  As Kris went through the different tents soon to be packed with people, he couldn't help but to smile. The school looked completely different. It was expected, as thousands of tents and stands stood everywhere. Several students were buzzing around, getting ready for the festival doors to open in a couple of hours. On the front yard, the food tents were already filling the air with sweet, cloying flavorings. Inside the school, most of the classrooms were occupied with the most varying and bizarre expositions, ranging from a quite promising karaoke set to a stand with puppets that looked like Kris had made them. And that was not really a good thing. But it was a nice gesture, he guessed. The huge backyard was perfect for the event. One side was occupied with a bouncy castle and the other was filled with several tables, set with the most varied board games. Right in the center, a stack of newly cut firewood waited for the event to finish that night. After the doors were closed, all the students gathered around it, counting the earned money they would later send off to charity, watching the fireworks show and sharing the day's events with their friends. It was Kris's absolutely favorite part of the day. He had been sort of melancholic after realizing it would be the last festival he would help preparing before his graduation, but just then a little, soft voice inside his head reminded him it would also be the first one with Tao. The tingles that realization left were enough to boost his mood up.

As he entered the gym, he took his time to take everything that was going on in. He hadn't really paid attention to what those boys from the day before were going to do. He didn't even care about the space itself. He just didn't want to share the place with anyone else but Tao. It seemed that one of them was going to do a trivia-like contest, while the other consisted just of paintings created by the students to sell. Most of his own team was already working, setting up the box that would later be filled with water and taking out the plushies they'd give out as prizes.

Finally, he got to see the team he really cared about. Tao's. But when he turned to their side, the only thing visible was a huge black curtain, covering the whole side. Besides a small opening that was apparently used as a door, a big, handmade sign, decorated with swords, announced the play's title. Inside the curtain, he could hear whispers and giggles as the guys were dressing up and rehearsing for their play.

After a couple of hours of hard work, everything was finally ready. The wushu team left the curtain, and... And Kris couldn't breathe. He couldn't pay attention to his friends dressed up as warriors, made up and everything. He could only see Tao. A very shirtless, attractive Tao. The memories from the evening before resurged, and no. He couldn't stand staying there anymore. Lately, he was having a hard time keeping all his feelings in check. First of all, he had had to run alongside a sweaty, gorgeous, smiling Tao for almost an hour. It had taken all his self-control not to grab him and kiss him right there. Then, the evening before they had been so ing close. He couldn't think about it now, not when everyone was so close. He tried to compose himself before they were surrounded by visitors. As he returned to his place, he wasn't oblivious to Tao's confused expression. But there was no time to explain now.

Just like that, the doors were opened. Chen said a gloomy farewell to the group, before unwillingly climbing up and sitting on top of the box. His contrite expression didn't help getting his friends to stop mocking him. Yeah, he deserved every bit of it, after pulling prank after prank on them, but still Kris felt a little bit bad for him. Luckily, the day was warm, so at least he wouldn't be cold.

Barely ten minutes later, Chen was already completely drenched. Their game had become pretty popular. They were taking turns to guard it, and while they were free they roamed around the fair. When Kris, Sehun, and Kai's turns were over, they decided to go check out their friends' play. He couldn't remember anything. Maybe... There was a village? With... People who needed to be saved? He couldn't even remember what his friends' roles were. He could only remember Tao. How he talked with his endearing accent. How he moved. How he breathed. He had to have him. He needed it like air. So, he finally made up his mind. He would tell him about his feelings. How corny was that? But he knew he liked Tao. He was in love with him. And he was pretty sure Tao liked him back. Just the idea made his heart flutter embarrassingly. 

As time went by, the visitors started to lower, so both teams decided to take a one-hour break, just to wander around and visit the different stands. Kris walked down the different corridors alongside Tao, trying to avoid staring at him creepily often. But he couldn't help but to notice everyone else's eyes on him. Yeah, he knew Tao looked breathtaking in his outfit, long, black pants hanging low on his hips, bare torso and beautiful smile. If he could, Kris would stare at him every single moment of his life. Heat radiated from him, inviting Kris to lean in, to touch, to feel. His perfect muscles, the perfect abs that had enchanted him since the day they met, everything about him so inviting. But he didn't like to share it. At all. He wanted to cover him, to take him home just for himself. He looked so lovable, even when he and Kai were unceremoniously attacking one of the stands where the cake they had baked was. According to the girl they had talked to a couple of evenings ago, who was the tennis club manager, they were selling great. And actually they were pretty good, despite Kris don't necessarily liking overly sweet things. But Tao made everything so incredibly appealing. He didn't seem to ever get full, trying food after food at an amazing speed.  

It all begun with Joonmyeon's innocent question. But Kris just had to be that stupid. Sometimes he couldn't believe it himself. 

"So, how much do you think we earned?" the boy had commented as they were preparing to take the games down. The festival had already ended and everyone was getting ready to sit around the bonfire. They had decided it would be easier to just help each other out with both presentations, just to make everything easier. 

"Oh, I don't know," Tao started cheerfully, "but I think we were quite successful. I didn't expect so many people around here." 

"Well,” Kris huffed, still feeling a bit bugged by all those eyes on his Tao, "that's just because all the girls wanted to see you shirtless. Not that I blame them," although he actually did. 

Their friends got silent, until someone chuckled and everyone else ended up laughing too. Everyone except Tao. 

"You sound as if we hadn't prepared anything," he frowned at him, "And look who's talking. The only reason everyone even came to see you was to know what the awesome basketball team would do." 

"And to see Chen soaking," someone coughed behind him, earning some snickers and a hateful glare from the boy in question. 

"What the hell are you talking about?" Kris retorted, feeling just a bit exasperated, "Everyone loves those kind of games. It has nothing to do with it being ours." 

Tao rolled his eyes, looking quite fond for someone who was supposed to be in the middle of a discussion. Around them, a small, playful debate had formed between their friends. 

"Well, Tao's abs really made the play worth it." 

"Yeah, but the play is also pretty cool. See, there is this village..." 

"Yeah, yeah. I watched it. But our game is fine too. Entertaining" 

"Actually, I just played hoping to see Chen fall. No offence." 

"Don't worry. As soon as I'm, out of these clothes I'll get my revenge"

 As they kept discussing about sales, Tao spotted a bag of leftover plushies sitting just by the game.  

"See? You didn't even get them taken," he said grabbing the bag, "I'm pretty sure it wasn't even a real game. Probably Chen didn't even get wet." 

Kris furrowed his eyebrows, smirking internally.  

"Are you ing kidding me?" Chen interrupted, standing in front of Tao, "Look at me. I'm ing drenched, what do you mean I didn't fall?" 

Tao patted his back as everyone laughed. 

"If you want, feel free to try it yourself," Kris offered innocently. 

Tao seemed torn. But Kris already knew what he would say. They were very much alike. Tao nodded, and his friends helped him getting up on his seat. Kyungsoo was asking him to reconsider it, as Chen was considerably smaller than him, and he could get easily hurt. Tao ignored him, proud preventing him from listening.  

Kris took the ball in his hands, turning it around boastfully, "You know, you can still turn down if you want," he smirked. 

Tao narrowed his eyes at him.  "Just do it." 

And that was all he needed to hear. With every bit of leftover strength he had, Kris aimed and threw the ball. It hit the mark. And Tao fell. He fell so strongly from the impact that the machine fell behind him, breaking the glass container and spilling all the water. . He should have thought about it. It was a game prepared for kids. Not for idiotic basketball players to mess around with. Panic flooded him the second of silence after the impact. He-he couldn't move. Everyone rushed towards Tao, who slowly came out from under the pile of broken glass and trash. Kris quickly scanned his body for injuries, spotting only a couple of shallow scratches. And he breathed out. Only it came out as a chuckle. Around him, his friends started mocking Tao slightly, mostly from relief. He was dripping wet, frowning and scowling. Kyungsoo handled him a towel he'd gotten for Chen, helping him get up. Tao pouted slightly, and the next thing Kris knew was that he was giggling hysterically. He felt as if his heart had stopped for a couple of minutes. It reminded him of the day when Tao had broken his nose, to the promise he had made himself. He would never see Tao get hurt again. And now he had. Because of him. He tried to even out his breath. 

"I told you it worked, Panda," he grabbed a toy that had gotten his attention earlier that evening, "Here, have this," he handed him a panda plushie, earning a warning glare from Kyungsoo. He should have listened to it. It wasn't until he felt something hit him softly he realized what an idiot he had been. The plushie laid at his feet as Tao left the gym.

"Seriously, Kris?" Kyungsoo rolled his eyes, "Well done." 

He stood on his spot, feeling his hands numb. 

"Hey, wait a second. Aren't you going after him?" he spluttered after seeing the other boy continued disarming their stage.  

"Why would I? I haven't done anything." 

And he was right, of course. But Kris couldn't- he just- He was an idiot. All of this just because he was jealous. And he didn't have any right over Tao.  

Lay approached him, a reproachfully look on his face, "You know you'll never get him like that, don't you?" Kris avoided his eyes, "You should go find him. He is wet and it's getting colder."  

And he was right. Temperature had dropped, as they were still on spring, and he wouldn't forgive himself if Tao got sick because of him. 

"But he is gonna hit me," he whimpered pathetically.

"Well, you deserve it. You need to get down from your high horse before you go get him."

Kris stared at the door. 

"Just... Do something with your feelings. It's getting on my nerves," He smiled as he left to get something to clean the mess they'd made.

"Shut up," Kris grumbled half heatedly, face burning.

He jogged towards the backyard, looking around, trying to find him. Finally, his eyes set on a shaky figure sat far from the starting bonfire. As he approached, he could see the Panda's gloomy look, big, fat tears rolling down his cheeks. Kris hated himself, knowing it was all because of his stupid behavior. Once he spotted him, Tao quickly wiped off his tears, hiding his face on the knees he was holding up. Kris approached him and slid besides him. 

"What do you want?" the boy asked tiredly. 

"Here," Kris took off his sweater, handling it to him and getting a puzzled look, "You are shirtless and soaked, you'll catch a cold." 

The boy shook his head, frowning slightly, but didn't flinch once Kris placed it on his shoulders. Kris got closer to him, needing to do something to keep him warm, to keep him safe. Tao didn't move away. Looking up at the sky, Kris felt a pang of nostalgia. 

"You know, they'll set off the fireworks soon. It kind of reminds me of China." 

Tao turned to look at him, swollen eyes wide open. He nodded slightly, a sad look in his face. Kris couldn't see him like that anymore. 

"Look, Panda, I'm so, so, so sorry. You could have hurt yourself badly, and I shouldn't have mocked you. But please, stop crying," he begged. 

 "What are you talking about!? I wasn't crying!" 

"Yeah, right." 

Tao hugged his legs once again, burying his face between them. Why? Why did it have to be so complicate? Why couldn't he seem to talk to him, to make him feel better? A suddenly muffled, sorrowful sob came from the boy, who was shaking, trying to repress it. Kris felt his chest tight, he couldn't figure it out. Why was he still crying? Was he hurt because of him? 

"Tao, Tao. Are you hurt? Please, talk to me, why are you still crying? What can I do? Please." 

Silence enveloped them after that. Kris sighted and leaned back against the wall. Nothing could be heard besides an occasional sniffle sound and the cracking of the fire, further away. 

"Why do you keep hurting me?" a weak, thick voice asked besides him. He raised his head, eyes piercing, "Why do you hate me so much? What have I done to you?" He shouted, a desperate tone on his voice. Once again tears streamed down his face, and Tao wiped them away, sighting with frustration.  

Kris lowered his head. He didn't know. Why did he keep hurting him, when the only thing he wanted in the world was to keep him safe, forever?  

"I-I bother you to get your attention," he swallowed, looking back up at him. Tao turned around, bemusedly, and Kris took in his beautiful eyes, red and puffy, and his swollen lips, slightly open and flushed, tempting.  He felt pulled towards them, needing them from the bottom of his heart. And then, they were kissing. Tao stiffened, breath becoming hitched. Kris sneaked a hand around his waist, pulling him closer, flushed against him. And then Tao kissed him back. This was the only way Kris had to tell him everything he wanted to, what his words would never be able to. The only way to answer his questions. The only way to make him stop crying. Something inside him loosened up in that moment, as he felt Tao's soft, sweet lips against his. It was everything he had thought it’d be and more. He wanted to stay like that forever, flushed against him, tasting him, feeling his warmth. But they couldn't, and heartbreakingly soon, they had to draw apart. They stayed close, breathing hard, foreheads joined together. Kris finally found his voice, a little bit shaky, but it would do. 

"Panda," he smiled, feeling the word tingle on his lips, "If I don't bother you, I don't have any reason to talk to you. I- I know it's not true, but... But I want to be with you. I wanted to talk to you, to make you feel something." 

Tao got away from him, and Kris felt his heart stop as he spotted the confusion on his face. What if he had been wrong? Maybe he had misread the signals. Maybe he wasn't even gay. Maybe he had rushed to conclusions, not thinking about the consequences of kissing him. Maybe he had already lost Tao.  Panic flooded him, as he took away his eyes from him.  

"What are you trying to tell me, Kris?" he raised his head after hearing the boy's tone, slightly hopeful. His eyes shone, full and breathtaking. Soothing Kris, making every fear disappear. 

"I'm telling you that I like you. Silly Panda." he felt the weight of his words as soon as they left his lips. All his fears rushed back, "I-I'm sorry, Tao. I didn't mean to-"

He had his breath knocked out of him as he felt their lips together again. Despite having touched them only once before, they felt right, like they belonged together. Like Tao's lips were made for him. After just one second, they were gone, and Tao was carefully letting him go. Kris couldn't believe it. He felt that he was going to burst form... something. 

"I like you too, Kris. Like, a lot," he took a deep breath, as Kris tried to steady his heartbeat enough to hear him, "And I'm sorry too. I was also wrong, I shouldn't have provoked you. Sorry."

Hesitantly, Kris raised his hand to touch his face, his heart expanding when Tao leaned into the touch.

"It's fine. No need to apologize," he thumbed his lips softly, "Now, come on. You'll get ill."  He got up, taking Tao's hand in his. Kris couldn't help but to smile at how perfectly they fitted together, at how perfectly everything was. Tao smiled too. On their way back to the gym, they could see their friends still cleaning up. Lay ran pass them, grinning madly after spotting his joint hands. Tao blushed, letting Kris' hand go. Kris immediately felt the loss of it, of its softness and warmth, but he smiled encouragingly at him. He hadn't planned on telling anyone what had happened unless Tao wanted him to, and he knew the boy would still be shy and that it'd take a while for him to be comfortable with it. Afterwards, everything felt dreamlike. They help their friends, who Kris spotted throwing sneaky glances at them, and then got dressed. They were one of the last teams to join the bonfire, so they both managed to stay at the back of the crowd, joining his hands quietly. They talked, they laughed, they ate. They watched the fireworks. Well, Tao watched the fireworks. Kris watched him. They talked a little more. Then everything was over, and their friends begun heading home. After everyone was gone, Kris told Tao he would walk him home. He couldn't let him go just yet.

When they held hands again, Kris felt as if an ache he didn't know he had had suddenly been soothed. They walked side to side, talking about everything. The day, their friends, the fireworks and the bonfire. About the money they'd raised and even about their stupid fight. Now it seemed a fond memory. A few blocks away from his house, Tao stopped on his tracks, looking suddenly troubled.

"I just want to make something clear," he gulped, "What are we? You know... now?" Kris wanted to hug him so badly. Just because he was freaking adorable, "I guess... a couple?"

"You are worried about the 'gay couple' thing," Kris smiled at him, making him open his eyes wide, face burning. Kris chuckled, patting his head consolingly, "You'll get used to it, Panda," he pecked his lips.

They kept walking until they reached Tao's house.

"I'll call you, then," he pointed at his cellphone, smiling brightly. Kris returned his smile and nodded.

"Don't make plans for tomorrow, okay?" he mocked him. Tao's smile widened. The boy was about to walk into his house when he turned around and kissed a surprised Kris.

"Goodnight!" he shouted as he got to the door, waving him goodbye.

And then, Kris knew that that had been the first of many happy days to come. Together.