CHAPTER BASED OFF BURNOUT. I still at translations.

BURNOUT

Kung iisipin mo
If you think about it
Di naman dati ganito
We weren't like this before
Teka muna teka lang
Wait, just wait
Kailan tayo nailang?
When did we become awkward?

O kay tagal kitang mamahalin
Oh, I will love you for a long time

-----

It's been five months since Tao and Jongin's moved in together and the honeymoon stage is almost at its last leg. Tao has started working as an assistant supervisor in one of the leading Korean clothing lines while Jongin has been working as one of the back up dancers for SMe.

It's a bit routinary for them to see each other quite late in the evening especially since Jongin's been working with SHINee - SMe's rookie group that's about to debut.

"Have you eaten...? I cooked dinner." Tao groans as the light from the living room enters their bedroom along with Jongin. The Korean shakes his head and kisses Tao's cheek, "And you?"

"No. Was waiting for you."

"I'm gonna go get changed and shall we have dinner?"

"What time is it?"

"A little after 2 am."

Tao nods half-awake and zombie walks out of the bedroom. He takes the food out the fridge and reheats them in the microwave. Jongin walks out a few minutes later and helps him set up the table. They're both eating silently when Jongin starts, "What time do you start work later?"

"9 am? It's a 20-minute walk from here so I can still have time to sleep again."

Jongin nods, "I just didn't want to mess up your body clock."

Tao chuckles and leans closer to give Jongin a swift kiss, "You idiot. I'm okay."

"I need to go back to SMe later around 3. You don't mind me sleeping the morning off?"

"Nope. I'm more worried about you missing lunch. Make sure you eat, okay?"

"Will do."

They finish their food in silence and Jongin volunteers to clean the dishes. He tells Tao to go back to bed and he'll follow soon afterwards. When Jongin steps inside the room, Tao has fallen back to sleep.

-----

"Hey, Jongin..."

"Hm?"

The Chinese shifts his position on the couch where he's been lying on his boyfriend's lap. It's a Sunday, one of the few days that both of them are home.

"Are you free on Wednesday? It's my day-off and we haven't gone out in a while."

"Lemme check..." Jongin checks his phone and runs his hand through Tao's hair, "Raincheck, love? SHINee's showcase is on Saturday."

Tao sighs and looks up at Jongin, "You think I can come to the showcase, instead?"

"Sure. But you'd have to bring a friend, I won't be able to entertain you until after the after-party."

Tao pouts and turns his head from Jonging to the TV, "Well, at least I can watch you on stage."

"I'll have 2 tickets for you tomorrow."

"You work so hard, love..."

"I have to. Apgujeong is not really a cheap place to live in."

Tao doesn't respond. He doesn't want to fight but he wants to tell Jongin that they could have moved to a cheaper place and he won't love him any less.

"Something wrong, love?" Jongin asks and Tao just shakes his head, "Nothing's wrong. I'm just thinking of who I can trade with on my Wednesday off so I can go to the showcase."

"How about Taeyong? Didn't you trade with him last week?"

"I can try." Tao sits up and kisses Jongin, "I'm gonna cook our lunch. What do you want?"

"Anything."

Tao sighs and heads to the kitchen to prepare their meal. Once everything is chopped and diced, he tosses the ingredients in a pan and waits for the food to boil. He sits on a chair and texts his companion for Saturday even before he can trade off with a co-worker.

-----

"Does Jongin know you invited me today?"

"Does he even has to know? He should be perfectly aware by now that you are gonna be with me, Yifan-ge."

Yifan rolls his eyes and starts the car when Tao has put his seatbelt on. "I hate using my car, just so you know."

"But you haven't seen me in 3 months!"

"4 months."

"Okay. 4 months but you love me, so that's why you're here and I'm on the passenger's seat."

Yifan sighs and keeps his eyes on the road. Four months without seeing each other is just bizaare especially for the both of them. They were practically inseparable but one major change and they're almost becoming strangers.

The ride to Dongdaemun Plaza is quiet, at least. It was rainy and Yifan isn't really up for a conversation right now, not when he actually bailed on a blind date set up by a co-worker just for this brat.

"Made it!" Tao exclaims after Yifan parks his car and they are walking to the hall where the event is gonna be held, "Come on! I don't want some lunatic fangirl stealing our seats!"

Yifan sighs again. He isn't really a fan of idol groups, male idol groups especially, even if he does prefer boys over girls but, nope. No to fanboying.

"Gege!" Tao yells and marches back to him and drags him to the elevator to take him to the hall.

The showcase is awesome, for a rookie group, even Yifan is impressed. Tao, however, is squealing over Jongin, and Yifan could only die a little inside when Tao's boyfriend winks at him from the stage and Yifan's sure that Tao didn't even care the slightest for the 5 up and coming kpop idols performing in front of them.

When the showcase ends, Tao receives a call that Jongin will be home late (again) and that he and Yifan better grab dinner together, instead.

Tao is in a bad mood during dinner and Yifan doesn't even question why. It goes by so fast, next thing they know they're back in Yifan's car.

"I'll drop you off the station."

"Can I sleep over?"

"Tell Jongin first."

"He doesn't dictate my life. I'm sleeping over."

"I am out if you two fight." Yifan tells the younger and drives away.

In Yifan's apartment, Tao refuses to sleep on the couch which in turn ends up with the both of them lying too close on the bed.

"Why do you want to sleep away from me? We used to sleep together a lot."

Yifan keeps his eyes closed and grunts, "You don't have Jongin, then."

"Does that mean things have changed?"

"Maybe..."

Tao pushes himself closer and hugs Yifan, "No, Yifan. Nothing will change in our relationship."

The older screams internally because Tao could be right, nothing will change in their relationship - Tao will always be near and an arm's reach away but Yifan can never get close enough.

-----

"I have a week off starting next month, do you wanna go on a trip?"

Tao turns from the stove and looks at Jongin, "Serious?"

"I hate not spending time with you, too."

Tao squeals in glee and runs to his boyfriend happily, "Of course! Where are you taking me?"

"I got us tickets to Hongkong. We leave on the 15th."

"Overseas? We're flying out of Seoul?! Jongin!" Tao kisses Jongin and hugs him tight, "I can't wait! Oh my god!"

"Can you tell your company, though? If you can't leave work on such short notice, I can have the tickets refunded and I'll make sure to treat you like my princess here at home, instead."

"I can try tomorrow and ask my boss. Why overseas, though?"

Jongin smiles and kisses Tao, "So we can be away from work and all that bull we do to earn a living."

Tao laughs and kisses Jongin again, "I love you, Jongin, I will love you for a really long time."

"Please do." Jongin kisses Tao's nose then laughs, "I think I should have told you during lunch, though?"

"Why?"

"Our food's burning."

Tao yelps and turns back to the stove, unfortunately, it cannot be salvaged anymore. Jongin hugs Tao from behind and kisses the back of his lover's ear, "Jjampong?"

Tao chuckles and shakes his head, "Kimchi-chigae for me."

"Clean up and we're heading out."

Tao happily obliges.




"I saw Yifan last night. Bastard's got a date." Jongin tells Tao while they're eating lunch. Tao swallows his food and stares at Jongin, "You're kidding."

"He hasn't told you?"

"I've been busy and I haven't talked to him since the showcase."

Jongin hangs his mouth open in surprise, "Love, the showcase was 2 months ago."

Tao nods his head and continues to eat, "Well, we don't find the need to see each other all the time but I guess I can call him later about this new information."

"His date is a really handsome guy. They were laughing and whispering during dinner."

Tao raises an eyebrow and glares at his lover, "Which reminds me. You didn't tell me where you had dinner last night."

Jongin laughs nervously and clears his throat, "The boys of SHINee went out to dinner with the rest of the dancers. Sorry, love."

Tao sighs and returns to finishing his meal, "You didn't greet him?"

"Nah... he was busy flirting with his boyfriend."

Tao chuckles and almost spits out his food, "It's so weird hearing that. Yifan-ge never had a boyfriend before."

"You mentioned that before. Maybe Yifan will be able to use his now for other purposes."

Tao laughs and agrees.

------

"Yes?"

Tao stays rooted on the spot in front of Yifan's apartment that night after the talk with his boyfriend. He's able to convince Jongin that news like Yifan finally getting a boyfriend is sleep over worthy, however, he did not expect a rather tall guy who looks half-foreigner to open the door wearing a dress shirt Tao has given Yifan 2 Christmases ago.

"Who is it, Kevin?"

This person, Kevin, turns from Tao to the living room and speaks, "I don't know. He's just staring at me like a lost panda."

There's the sound of feet shuffling and Yifan comes into view from behind Kevin, half-.

"ZITAO?!"

"Okay! I'm sorry! I should have called." Tao immediately grabs his duffle bag from the floor and backs a step away.

Kevin laughs and steps away from the door to make room for Yifan to get out of the apartment, "Tell him to come inside, it's cold out." Kevin tells Yifan before heading further inside.

"So it's true???" Tao's eyes are wide and glaring curiously at Yifan, "Jongin said he saw you last night with a guy and you're dating?"

Yifan sighs defeatedly then looks at Tao, "Is this why you're here?"

Tao nods his head enthusiastically and Yifan sighs again, heavier this time, "Get inside, Zitao. It's cold."

Tao walks inside just in time for Kevin to grab his bag and coat, he gives Yifan a nod then leaves the apartment immediately. Yifan heads to the kitchen and Tao follows him.

"You didn't even introduce us."

"There was no need for introductions." Yifan tells him as he prepares cups of tea for the both of them. He can tell Tao is pouting behind him and the older continues, "He is not my boyfriend. We flirt around, and have from time to time, but he and I are not in a proper relationship for us to introduce each other to our friends."

"Best friend."

Yifan smiles and sits across Tao as he gives him his tea, "Of course. Best friend."

Tao takes a sip of his tea and raises an eyebrow at Yifan, "It's like I'm knowing this new side of you. I never took you for being like this."

"When the time is right, who knows, I might introduce you to the love of my life."

"Not might. You will."

Yifan stays quiet and finishes his tea. "Sleeping over? It's a Sunday. You and I have work tomorrow."

"Jongin is not home tonight anyway. He is flying with SHInee to Japan and I'm staying for three days."

"You didnt even tell me?"

"I'm telling you now."

Yifan sighs and shrugs, "Do what you want. It's not like I can even stop you, right?"

Tao nods and smiles at Yifan.



"How long have you and Kevin been involved?" Tao asks as he stares at the ceiling while Yifan tries to get into a more comfortable position on his bed. "Why so curious?"

"I'm the best friend. Of course, I'm curious."

"About a month and a half. We met in Shanghai."

"You went to Shanghai?!" Tao exclaims and turns to Yifan, the older lies on his back and looks away from Tao, "Yeah. Business trip. Kevin's the representative of one of the participating companies during the conference."

"He looks good, and you'll look good together."

Yifan grunts and turns his back on Tao, "Go to sleep." The older feels Tao shift from behind him followed by an arm snaking its way to his waist and the younger's forehead on the back of his neck, "Goodnight, gege."

Yifan sighs and just buries the side of his face further into his pillow, "Good night, Zitao."

"Hey... Gege?"

"Hmn...?"

"Did you visit our hometown...? How was mama and papa?"

"I did. They're doing fine."

"Your mama?"

"She's in Canada. She just moved there 3 months ago. She was here for a week before finally moving there permanently."

There was silence for a while and then tightening around Yifan's waist. A few seconds later he can feel the back of his neck getting trails of water, "Why dont you ever tell me things anymore? We just live apart, it didn't stop us from being best friends."

"I guess I didn't want to bother you with nonsense. I'm sorry."

Tao hits Yifan's back hard before he is crying more openly and the older turns around to hug the other close, "Nonsense?! You went back to China without me! Auntie was here, too! We haven't gone back in years, gege! It would have been better if we went back together! I would have gone to see Auntie, had I known. She will be just like home..."

"I'm so sorry, okay? I only stayed at your place for a day before I took the plane back here. Mom and I only saw each other briefly for breakfast and dinner. I was really busy and we only spent one whole Saturday together before she flew out of the country the following day."

"Even so! You didn't even mention her when we met two months ago, nor did you even tell me you were flying to China a few weeks after the showcase!"

"You were with Jongin and I was sure you're still adjusting with your lives together in one place. Don't be mad, promise, when I save enough money, I'll buy plane tickets for you and Jongin so you can both go home."

Tao looks up to stare at Yifan, "With Jongin?"

"Don't you want him to meet your parents?"

"No. China... It's ours. We left together, we are gonna come home together. Jongin can meet my parents some other time."

"Okay, okay. I get it. I'm sorry. We can go during the holidays."

"It's a promise." Tao finally smiles and snuggles close to Yifan. The older sighs and closes his eyes. 'God, tell me when is this gonna stop...?'

-----

"How was Hongkong?" Yifan asks a month and a half after Tao slept over and they're meeting again over dinner since Tao is back from his vacation with Jongin.

"Fun." Tao tells him and then rummages his bag, "Got you the best souvenir!"

Yifan raises an eyebrow, "A keychain. You were in Hongkong for a week and you got me a keychain."

"Be a little grateful, why don't you?"

Yifan laughs and rummages his own bag, he takes out a box of perfume, "I remember you told me you've been looking for this scent for a while now. My company sent me to France a week ago and found it."

Tao's eyes widen and grabs the box, "Are you seriously giving me this?"

"Yes. You know, as thank you for the keychain."

Tao laughs and takes another package from his bag, "You think I'm that cheap? Here. My real gift."

Yifan takes the paper bag and found a buddha bracelet inside. Tao shows his own and smiles, "I bought it in a temple. They say it's for good luck."

"Thanks, Zitao."

Tao and Yifan separates after coffee and the younger goes home to his and Jongin's apartment. He finds his lover asleep on the couch with his own Chinese take out half-eaten on the coffee table. Tao cleans it up and wakes him after.

"Love, let's get you to bed."

"What time is it?" Jongin asks as he rubs the sleep off his eyes.

"A little after 9. I'm sure you already ate and I did, too."

"I have to go back in SME by 7 tomorrow. Come on, let's turn in early tonight." Jongin stands from the couch and kisses Tao on the cheek, "Welcome home."

Tao rolls his eyes and kisses Jongin's nose, "You go on ahead, I need to clean this up." Jongin kisses him on the lips before bidding good night and heading towards the bedroom. Tao starts cleaning up the take out boxes and washing the dishes before heading to the bathroom to brush his teeth and wash his face. When he finally comes to the bedroom, his boyfriend is already sound asleep.

For the days, weeks, months that follow, Tao and Jongin falls into a routine in which they barely see and talk to each other. And in times of Jongin's absence, Yifan finds Tao in his apartment with his bag and sleeping next to him.

"And you're back again." Yifan grins and Tao just chuckles before entering the apartment. "How many times is it now?"

"You sound as if you're actually throwing me out."

Yifan shakes his head and walks towards the bedroom. He picks up pieces of clothing thrown haphazardly across the apartment and Tao just chuckles from behind him, "Rough night?"

"I should say the same to you. How is Jongin lately? I haven't seen your boyfriend in forever."

"Same same. Still one of SMe's backup dancers. After SHINee, they're now working with a new girl group. He says one of the members is SNSD's Jessica's sister."

"You talk as if we're interested in girls."

Tao laughs and Yifan ruffles his hair when he passes by the younger sitting on the couch while he makes his way back to the kitchen, "How about you, gege? Any progress with Kevin?"

"Haha. No. No progress."

Tao pouts and then turns on the TV, "I can't wait until you introduce us."

"Might not happen anytime soon."

Tao looks up and takes the can of soda offered to him, "Why not?"

"He's engaged. Arranged marriage."

"What?!"

Yifan nods and takes the remote from Tao, "It's his damn fault not telling his parents about his orientation. Now he can't get out of this mess."

Tao laughs and leans his head on Yifan's shoulder, "It's okay, gege. Your will find another ."

"So nice of you to comfort me."

"Best friend duties." Tao smiles and then wraps his arms around Yifan's arm, "I'm here, Yifan-ge. I love you, don't be sad."

"Thank you, Tao."

-----

"When did you come back?" Tao asks when he finds Jongin on the couch a week after he comes home from Yifan's place.

"I came home last night. I figured I'll tell you in the morning but you're here now, so why bother?"

Tao sits next to Jongin and kisses his cheek, "How's work lately?"

"It's fine. Tiring. We work with f(x) and SHINee simultaneously, it's draining our energies already."

"I can give you a massage. Come on." Tao smiles and drags his boyfriend inside their bedroom. Jongin lies face down on the bed and Tao massages his .

"How's Yifan and the pseudo-boyfriend?"

"Pseudo-boyfriend got coerced into an arranged marriage."

Jongin grunts when Tao manages to untangle a twisted muscle. "Love, you are a mess..."

"I know, love. Dancing for SHINee and F(x) isn't exactly easy."

"How goes it, exactly?"

Jongin breathes through his nose and sighs, "One minute we're dancing with SHINee, then getting dragged into F(x)'s studio the next. I love to dance, but sometimes I wonder if I should keep this up."

"Apply to be a trainee then."

Jongin laughs and turns around to hug Tao, "And let the public feast on the fact I'm living with my boyfriend? Nope."

Tao laughs and buries his head on the crook of Jongin's chest, "Who knows? You might start some sort of LGBT movement in South Korea."

"That's a possibility." Jongin hugs Tao tighter and sighs, "It's our 22nd month together tomorrow. Want to go out for dinner?"


"I would love that so much." Tao grins against Jongin's neck and kisses the soft skin. "I love you, Jongin."

"Love you."

-----

The thing about being a backup dancer is that you become a permanent fixture in concerts, music show promotions, and music videos. With Jongin dancing for two groups, his time is divided from promoting with SHINee and then promoting with F(x) a few months later for another comeback.

The thing about a group becoming famous means more overseas guestings and concerts, meaning the dancers go with the artists, which means there's a lonely Chinese eating dinner alone in his apartment without his boyfriend of two and a half years.

Tao decides he isn't going to come over at Yifan's and rearranges their furniture. Sadly, that's how bored he really is. Jongin has not contacted him ever since SMTown kicked off from Seoul last week and is now in LA and probably Thailand a few days after. He's forgotten if his boyfriend ever mentioned coming home for a day or two since all he got before Jongin left was a handwritten note on the bedside table when he woke up.

He finishes his task around 5 in the afternoon and he takes a shower and a walk right after. He realizes he and Jongin rarely ever had time to walk around Apgujeong together like this. Tao sighs to himself thinking he kind of misses Jongin but then the familiarity of the situation is keeping him from confronting his boyfriend about it.

Tao stops by a fastfood chain to buy his quick dinner and heads home. When he steps inside the apartment, he's surprised to see Jongin get out of the bedroom.

"Hi." Jongin smiles and Tao awkwardly smiles back.

"Are you supposed to be back here now?"

Jongin just shrugs his shoulders, "We have two days off."

"Dinner?"

"Company dinner earlier."

"Oh. Okay."

"I'm tired. Going to bed."

Tao nods and his boyfriend steps back inside the bedroom. Tao defeatedly heads to the dining area and eats his takeout alone.

He takes a quick shower after and lies next to his sleeping boyfriend. He stares at Jongin and he thinks when was the last time they slept almost at the same time talking about their days.

He misses Jongin, that's for sure. And he hates that they can barely hold a conversation recently. It's almost routinary now just to ask how their day was then just go to sleep or eat alone. Even calls and text messages are rare, not that Tao blames it all on Jongin, it's just that sometimes he himself can't start a normal conversation with his boyfriend now.

"Something wrong?"

Tao realizes Jongin's been awake and he's been staring through him and not at him, hoping maybe he can find his boyfriend through this flesh who looks like him but isn't entirely him anymore.

"Tao? Is there something you want to tell me?"

'A lot. I want to tell you a lot of things. I want to tell you I saw a cute baby boy who came to the store with his mother and how he looks so much like you. I asked his name and his name's Asher--'

"Tao?"

Tao shakes his head, "It's nothing. Go back to bed."

-----

When Tao left for work that morning, Jongin's still asleep. When he came back after work, there's pizza on the table and not a Jongin in sight. He walks to the pizza and sees a note on top:

'I wanted to spend movie night with you but our manager called. Jaehyuk is sick and we'd have to recoordinate our choreo for SMTOWN in Thailand. I'll make it up to you.'

Tao sighs and opens the box for stale pizza for dinner. He bitterly takes a bite off a slice. He may be quite disappointed with how good thisnight could have turned out, he tells himself at least there's pizza.

-----

A few more months pass between them and the situation is more common now more than ever. The things Tao wanted to tell Jongin on his free time piles up until he forgets most of it.

Jongin will come home from time to time and mostly Tao just finds him asleep. It doesn't help the fact that Tao has been promoted and is busier than ever since there's a new store branch opening and he's spearheading training new employees for it.

It's a Wednesday night, a rare chance recently to be home early and maybe talk with his boyfriend and if he's luckier maybe cuddle and kiss him and maybe have with him again. Tao laughs at the thought trying to remember the last time they had actual and not a half-assed quickie.

'Are you still there? I'd rather sleep, Tao.'

"I thought I'd be used to it by now..." Tao sighs as he takes another bite of dimsum.

"Focus on work."

"You're so boring, Yifan-ge. Hey, can I come over tonight?"

"I need to leave the city by 4AM."

"You're leaving me too?! Where are you going?"

"Busan. I have a meeting to attend to and I'm taking a short vacation."

"Such priviledges. And here I am stuck at home with Chinese takeout and my boyfriend of 3 years in Singapore until God knows when."

"Fine. You can come over but you can't keep me awake."

"Nevermind. You're not gonna let it go if you're late on your train."

"Exactly. So, I'm going to bed now and you should too."

"I will. Bye." Tao ends the call and finishes his food. He takes the trash out and looks at the streets of Apgujeong. He's been living here for two years and he wonders if this is where he truly belongs. He loves Jongin and he loves to be where he is, but honestly, he's everywhere and he is not here where Tao's stuck to wait.

When Tao wakes up the next morning, he finds Jongin asleep next to him. He smiles seeing his boyfriend after almost two weeks of absence. He scoots closer and places a hand on the other's cheek. Tao knows Jongin will sleep in the whole day and will not wake up even if he tries. He stands and tells himself that it's better than no Jongin at all.

He cooks their lunch and takes a shower after. He checks the time and his shift starts at 2PM today, which means he only has three hours left to spend with Jongin today before he goes to work because who knows if Jongin's home after his shift?

He walks back inside yhe bedroom to find Jongin awake and staring at the door, "Good morning." Jongin greets him and Tao smiles at him, "Let's have lunch?"

Jongin nods and lazily stands up. He walks out with Tao and they eat their lunch together in silence. Jongin clears his throat and looks at Tao, "I..."

"You're going on a tour?" Tao asks without looking at his boyfriend, "SHINee?"

"Yeah... They are debuting in Japan and we're going to work exclusively with them for now."

Tao smiles bitterly at Jongin, "When are you leaving?"

"Tomorrow morning?"

"When are you coming back?

Jongin sighs and holds Tao's hand from across the table, "Three months from now."

Tao chokes back a sob and slides his hand away from Jongin, "Jongin... I love you, but I can't do this anymore."

"What?"

Tao shakes his head, "We barely saw each other for how long, I can't remember. I can't recall the last time I talked to you, or even just lay in bed with you for a whole night. Do you remember our last date?" Tao asks but Jongin doesn't respond. Tao sighs and looks at his boyfriend, "I think it's better if we break up now."

Jongin is silent for a moment and seeks out Tao's hand again, "I... I was thinking about this too. I know this will hurt us both but I'm a bit glad that we're mutual on this. I love you, Zitao but the thing is, you're right. We're becoming strangers and I feel bad leaving you here when I work."

Tao nods and smiles at Jongin, "When were you planning on talking to me about this?"

"I was thinking after the Japan tour..."

Tao shakes his head, "T-this is better. You need to focus on your job rather than thinking of ways how we can break up cleanly."

"Tao..."

"I guess I'm going to move out tomorrow. You will need this apartment better than me. I can always take the train going to work anyway."

"... I really love you Tao. I will love you for a long time."

"Me too, but this is for the better."

Jongin stands and hugs Tao in which the Chinese returns tighter. Tao pushes Jongin and tells him he needs to finish their food and Tao might be late for work.

"You know what's funny?"

Jongin looks up from his plate and looks at Tao, the Chinese smiles bitterly at Jongin, "This is the longest conversation we've had in months and we're breaking up."

-----

Tao walks out of their apartment an hour later. He's unfocused and the weight of the reality that he is now technically single and practically homeless starting tomorrow is now sinking in. He calls in sick at work and dials the number of the only person he knows can help.

"Tao, I thought I told you I'm in a meeting? This better be important."

"We broke up. I need a place to stay."

"Go to my apartment. Extra key is under the center potted plant. Wait for me at home, I'll be there later."

"I thought you're taking a short vacation?"

"I will be home later. Don't go anywhere but my apartment, okay?"

"Okay." Tao ends the call and takes a cab. He stares outside and watches Apgujeong go farther and farther away from him.

-----

Yifan comes home around midnight to find Tao casually watching TV and binging on junk food. Tao looks at him when he enters the apartment and just smiles, "I'm sorry I'm going to have to stop you from bringing boys over for now, gege."

"You always ruin my chances, Tao."

Tao chuckles but Yifan knows there's huge lump stuck on Tao's throat. He ignores it and sits next to Tao, "Are you going to tell me about it?"

Tao sighs and leans his head on Yifan's shoulder, "Can you help me move out tomorrow instead?"


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

Author's Notes:I had to cut this chapter in here but this isn't really where it's supposed to end. I do hope i will be able to update faster with the next chapter. If youre still reading this, thank you so much!