Mari had spent the week in bed in Yixing’s room, well, her room now too, and only left it to walk the few steps down the hall into the bathroom. When Yixing was at work, usually around dinner time until late on into the night, Mari would sit in bed and read some of the books on the shelves or watch TV and movies. It was pretty boring at times, but when Yixing came home, they would eat a late dinner together and chat before going to sleep.

Yixing waited on Mari hand and foot for the first week while she healed. It was difficult for her to move due to her ribs, so Yixing helped her out when he could. He would bring her meals, and they would share that time together, Yixing opting to eat in their room with Mari instead of making her eat alone. He would play and sing her gentle lullaby’s on nights she had trouble sleeping.

Yixing spent his free time getting to know Mari. She enjoyed watching comedies and Disney movies, and much to his surprise she had a beautiful singing voice. She didn’t think he could hear, but he listened every time she would sing along under her breath to one of the magical Disney tunes. He hoped one day she would open up more and sing with him.

It was particularly late on Friday night and Yixing had just walked in. Mari turned off whatever she was watching and smiled at him. “Welcome back.” She chimed and sat up.

Yixing took off his tux jacket and slung it on the back of his chair and loosened his tie. He held out a large take out tray. “I have cake from the wedding I just came back from. You want to share?” he asked as he sat down on the edge of her bed.

“Mmmm, what kind is it?” She peered into the box as Yixing opened it to look.

“Chocolate.” He said. “With some sort of fruit jam in the middle.” He dipped his finger into the sticky jam. “Strawberry.”

“Chocolate cake with a strawberry jam filling. I’m going to have to say yes to sharing that with you.” Mari said.

“Have you eaten dinner yet?”

Mari shook her head. “No. I was waiting for you like I normally do.” Yixing couldn’t help but smile. He loved having late dinner with just him and Mari. He loved any time he got to just sit down and talk to her.

“I suppose we can have dessert before dinner.” Yixing dipped his finger into the icing. “Wait right here. I’ll go get us some forks.” He swiped his finger that had the icing on it onto Mari’s nose and laughed at the look of shock on her face.

“Zhang Yixing. You just wait until I’m able to move around well again. I’ll get you back for this.” She was about to smear icing on his cheek but he was too quick and headed out of the bedroom door, still giggling.

He returned a little while later with two forks, and a heated up whatever Kyungsoo had made for dinner that night. “Dessert first!” Yixing exclaimed before settling in carefully beside Mari and setting the tray of cake on his lap.

“How was work?” Mari had gotten into the routine of asking Yixing how his night went mainly because she was interested, but because it also gave them something to talk about rather than him asking her questions about her past. He had tried a couple of times, but Mari would just hang her head and tell him it wasn’t something she wanted to talk about. And he respected that every time. So instead they talked about what kind of music she liked, what she liked to do for fun, her hobbies, favorite animals, trivial things of the sort.

“It was nice. The ceremony was huge. This one guy even gave the bride a . I think he was the grooms best man. I don’t remember the details.” They finished the cake while Yixing talked more about work and what he sang that night. He brought the tray of food over and set it down inbetween them.

Picking up a pair of chopsticks, he picked up a bite of food and held it to Mari’s lips.

“Ahhh.” He coaxed with a grin.

Mari’s cheeks tinted pink. “W-what are you doing?” She stuttered.

“I’m just feeding you. Gotta make sure you eat. You need to keep your strength up. You’re still healing. Now come on, eat.” Yixing ushered the chopsticks a little closer to Mari’s mouth and her lips parted hesitantly to let him place the food in .

Her blush deepened as Yixing watched her, smiling lightly and cocking his head to the side a tad. “Is it good?” Mari nodded. He had never done this before. She was confused and before she could even think not to question his kindness, she blurted out: “Why did you do that?”

Yixing just scooped up so more food and placed it in before answering. “I noticed you haven’t been eating much. That worries me. So I figure if I feed you, you’ll eat more.”

It’s true. Mari hasn’t been eating much. She was worrying most of the day about what she’s going to do with her life now. She worried about her ex or his thug friends finding her again. She mostly worried about Yixing finding out about her past. She knew once he figured out, he wouldn’t be so kind to someone like her anymore. He would think she was disgusting and not fit to be treated so nicely.

She sighed a little before mustering a very slight smile. “Thank you for worrying about me, Yixing. But I’ll be okay. I promise.” She wasn’t so sure of that promise to be honest.

Yixing placed a hand gently on her shoulder. “I know you’ll be okay. I’ll make sure of it.” His words echoed in Mari’s ears and it made her heart drop down to her toes. What did he mean he’d make sure of it? Yixing must have sense her feeling puzzled because he put down the chopsticks and turned his body to face her.

“Mari. Can you let me take care of you for a while? Keep you safe here. Help you back up on your feet? I know you agreed to staying for a while, but I really want you to stay. For good. I know you haven’t met all the guys yet, but they really want to meet you. I told them not to bother you until you were ready to come out and meet them.” He shifted his eyes and darted his tongue over his lips to moisten them. “I don’t know what it is about that makes me feel so protective but…I just do. And I won’t feel okay with myself if I don’t do that.”

Mari looked at Yixing with wide eyes. He looked a little worried so she very slowly reached out to place her small hand on his thigh.

Yixing turned his head quickly to look down at her hand on his leg then back up to her face. This was the first time she had ever initiated contact with him. It was always him placing a small touch to her here and there to soothe her. His eyes softened. He was glad they were making progress. It was amazing this was the same girl who shoved him and screamed at him not to touch her in the alleyway just a week ago.

Mari kept her head down low for a bit. “Yixing…” she remained silent for a few moments before looking up to meet her eyes with his. She nodded gently. “Okay. Yes. I’ll stay. I’ll stay with you guys. I’ll let you help me.” Her voice was barely over a whisper but Yixing was so tuned in to everything she was saying he heard every word. He smiled so widely his dimple appeared.

“Mari. Can I hug you?” he asked very carefully. He didn’t want to invade her space since that night and he was very careful with making contact with her and sensing when she didn’t want any. But right now, he couldn’t bare it anymore. He need to wrap his arms around her and protect her; make her feel at ease.

“Of course.” And almost before Mari could finish those two words, Yixing wrapped his arms around her shoulders in an embrace he has been wanting since the moment he saw her crying, which she seemed to be doing right now. Yixing moved his hand up to pet the back of her head.

“Shhhh. There there. It’s okay now. It’s all going to be okay. You are very safe here. You are at home. You will always have comfort here.” He words were delicate and soothing in her ear.

“Why Yixing? Why are you so nice to me?” She choked as she sobbed loudly.

He just continued petting her hair. “I’m nice to you because you haven’t given me a reason not to be. You’re very kind, and grateful, and I think you deserve all the nice things about life.”

Mari shook her head violently. “But you don’t know about me. If you knew about my past life, you wouldn’t think those things. I don’t deserve kindness and nice things about life.”

“That doesn’t matter.” Yixing held Mari’s shaking body a little tighter. Her words and sobs were breaking his heart. How could she think so horribly of herself? “Mari none of your past matters. I see you for who you are right now, and currently, I think you’re pretty great. You don’t have to tell me anything about your past, but if you ever want to, I will never judge you for it. That’s a promise.”

While his words were sincere, Mari just knew she could never tell him. She would be embarrassed, and afraid. Yixing sat with Mari snuggly in his arms until her crying had died down and he pulled away slowly. “Feeling better?” A grin appeared on Mari’s puffy red lips as Yixing wiped away a stray tear from her cheek. “Good. Now let’s finish dinner.”

The next night after Yixing had gone to work, Mari became restless. The stiffness in her ribs had subsided, but she was getting tired of lazing about in bed all the time. She figured it would be best to get up and possibly go introduce herself to her new housemates. The thought of doing so alone made her stomach churn, but she wanted to show Yixing how grateful she was, and possibly thank Kyungsoo for all the meals he had made.

She tiptoed gently into the living room nearly tripping on the pair of Yixing’s pajama pants she was currently in. There was someone sitting on the couch reading, but she wasn’t sure who.

“H-hi.” She said softly rounding the corner. The man on the couch turned his head around at the voice and smiled warmly. He cheeks were round and it gave his face a friendly and playful look to it.

“Hello.” He said back. “You must be Mari. It’s so nice to finally meet you. I’m Minseok. Please come sit down.” He gestured to the other side of the couch and Mari sat on the cushion furthest away.

“How are you feeling? I see the cut on your forehead has cleared up. And the swelling and bruising around your eye is nearly gone. I’m glad. It looks like your healing well. How are your ribs?” Minseok’s voice was gentle and pleasing to hear. It settled Mari’s nerves a bit and she was glad he was the first one she had met.

“I’m feeling okay. Most of the pain is gone. Yixing has taken care of me well this week.”

Minseok nodded and hummed. “Yes he’s very nurturing and sweet. He’d give the shirt right off his back.”

Mari just chuckled lightly and remembered the night he found her. “He actually did for me. My shirt was torn when he found me and he gave me his jacket to cover up with.”

Another smile formed on the man’s cheeks. Mari just wanted to reach out and poke them. “That’s our Yixing.”

They spoke for a few minutes more. Mari learning that Minseok is a worker at Suho’s company. He specializes in finances. He was also the oldest in the house despite his young looks. There was a comfortable silence between the two for a bit before Minseok stood up.

“I’m going to make some coffee, would you like some?”

“That would be wonderful, thank you.” And with that Minseok disappeared into the kitchen.

Mari took the time to look around the colossal living room. There was a larger couch adjacent to the smaller three seater she and Minseok were on. It had an L shaped extension and she could just imagine all 10 boys piled on it laughing at one another and enjoying each others company.

Mari enjoyed thinking about the happiness the boys all probably shared and she wondered what it was like to have friends to confide in and share happy moments with. She had never had that. She had always been alone. Her parents would leave her home alone, and her boyfriend of the time would forbid her from going out other than to work.

Her smile faded and she tucked her knees into her chest and curled up tightly into the corner of the couch. Minseok returned and set the two cups of coffee down and turned his face toward Mari’s with a look of concern.

“Mari are you okay? Is something wrong?” Minseok lightly touched Mari’s forearm, drawing her out of her trance and making her jerk away. Her look of fear dissipated when she realized it was just Minseok. She uncurled herself and looked up at the man sitting back down beside her.

“I’m sorry. I was just thinking. I didn’t mean to jerk away from you like that.” She picked up the cup of coffee, and relished in the comforting warmth in her hands.

Minseok sipped lightly at his coffee. “It’s okay. I understand. What were you thinking about if you don’t mind my asking?” Mari wasn’t sure if she wanted to tell him, but it couldn’t hurt. The worst he would think is she was a loser. And he wouldn’t be wrong.

“I was just thinking about how great it must be to live with all your friends. You get to laugh and have fun and you always have someone there for you to comfort you or hang out with you.” She took a slow sip of her coffee. “I never had that. Not growing up. Not now as an adult.”

Minseok tilted his head. He looked so innocent and charming, Mari couldn’t help but smile at him. “Why were you alone all the time?”

“My mother and father were never around. Both running around god knows where and doing god knows what all day and night. So I was always alone taking care of myself. Never had friends over to come play. When they kicked me out…” Mari felt her body stiffen. She didn’t mean to tell that she had been kicked out of her parents house, it just slipped. “I uh…I mean…” She couldn’t find her words.

Minseok came in for the rescue. “It’s okay. You can tell me. I’ve heard everything.”

Mari was finding it more and more comfortable to talk to Minseok. She wasn’t sure why. Maybe it was the warmth of the coffee and the comfort of the couch, or maybe it was just a part of Minseok’s charm. She continued. “When they kicked me out, I lived with my now ex-boyfriend. He quickly became controlling and never allowed me to go out of the house minus to work. So I couldn’t make friends.”

Minseok’s face never faltered. He listened intently without a hint of disgust. “And why couldn’t you make friends at work? Or school”

Mari’s face heated up. “I had to drop out of college. And uh…work conditions didn’t exactly allow me to make friends.”

“Oh? Why not?”

“I was…a stripper.” Mari couldn’t believe she had just admitted that. What was wrong with her? “I had to be. Yungwoo spent money on drugs and clubs and alcohol and I had to pay rent and keep our bills paid.”

“Ahh. That makes sense. Strip clubs are loud. And you’re busy more often than not.” Minseok sipped his coffee again still listening intently. “Did your ex have friends? That wouldn’t be fair. Could you at least hang out with them?”

Mari began to tremble slightly at the mention of his friends. “He uhm…yes he had friends. But they were no friends of mine…”

“Were they mean to you?”

Mari just nodded and a tear slip down her cheek. “Very, very mean Minseok. They were the ones who beat me up and before that, they would come in to our house somedays when Yungwoo was gone and…” tears began to pour down her face. “…they would me. And threaten to kill me if I ever told anyone. I’m sorry. You must think I’m disgusting.” He hands flew up to her face to hide herself.

“No Mari. Not in the slightest. I think you’re brave and strong for enduring all of that. Everyone comes from different walks of life. Some not so perfect ones. It’s what we do with those past occurrences that make out present self.” Minseok gestured towards himself. “Come here.”

Without hesitation Mari scooted over and found herself leaning into Minseok’s embrace. It was warm and comforting, a lot like Yixing’s. “You’re alright now. No one will hurt you like that. I promise. We all would promise that. And no one will think of you as disgusting.”

Mari was sobbing harder than she did last night. It felt so good to finally open up to someone about who she was and where she came from. And she was even more relieved when she wasn’t judged negatively for it. “Minseok,” she said quietly looking him in the face. He raised an eyebrow and hummed. “Please don’t tell Yixing anything I’ve told you. He doesn’t know.”

“You haven’t told him. I’m surprised. Can I ask why not?”

“He wouldn’t understand. He’s literally so perfect and I’m broken and messed up. I’m afraid he wouldn’t be so nice to me anymore. I’m afraid he would hate me.” He voice was quiet. Barely over a whisper.

Minseok chuckled. “Mari, Yixing has the biggest heart of anyone I’ve ever met. There is no possible way he would think poorly of you. In fact I’m pretty sure he thinks the world of you. And you’re not messed up. You’re perfectly fine. But, your secret is safe with me. I won’t tell Yixing a word. Promise.” He held out his little finger and Mari took it with hers.

“Thank you Minseok.” She wiped her tears and smiled up at the man. “Do you mind if I stay like this for a bit? Being comforted is new to me, and I like it a lot. It’s warm and makes me feel good.”

Minseok just giggled. “Of course. I need to get a little reading done anyways, so how about this.” He laid her down so her head was on his lap, and he reached to the back of the couch to get a blanket to cover her up with. He made sure she was covered up well and draped an arm around her shoulder. “Is this okay? Are you comfortable?”

Mari just nodded. “Yes. Thank you. For this and letting me spill my stupid guts out to you.”

Minseok grabbed his book and moved his hand to run his fingers through Mari’s hair. “You’re welcome. I’m here anytime you need me. For guts spilling, coffee, hugs, anything. But especially coffee.”

Mari closed her eyes as she heard Minseok begin to hum something soft from above her. His voice was melodic and it reminded her of the lullabys Yixing would sing to her some nights. That combined with his fingers her hair had her asleep in no time.

Yixing arrived home around midnight and walked towards living room where there was just the sole lamp light . When he approached the couch, he noticed Minseok still awake with a sleeping Mari in his lap. Yixing furrowed his brows and walked closer.

Minseok just placed his finger to his lips. “She’s sleeping. She’s had a rough night.” He said calmly while looking down at the small sleeping girl.

Yixing didn’t say a word. He knitted his brows further together and walked closer to them. “I’ve got it from here.” He said coldly. He scooped Mari up into his arms gently, careful not to disturb her. She was just as light as he remembered.

Her head wobbled until it found rest on his shoulder as he walked her upstairs into their bedroom. Her lips were slightly parted in her sleep, and the sight calmed him down. When he reached their room, he placed her gingerly into her bed and tucked her in making sure she would be warm through the night.

He sighed and peeled off his suit, not even bothering to go into the bathroom to change since Mari was asleep. He didn’t even bother to put pajamas on. He just climbed into bed in his boxers.

His thoughts kept him up for some while and he wished Mari was awake to keep him company. Why had she been curled up in Minseok’s lap? Had she found Minseok attractive and charming and confessed to him on the spot? Yixing was more jealous than angry. He was jealous Mari had taken such comfort to Minseok in such a short time and not him.

Deep down, Yixing wanted to keep Mari for himself. He really cared for her. But he knew it was best to let Mari get to know the other boys, no matter how much he didn’t want that. 

A/N: I know nodody reads this story since it's not a main exo pairing story. But it feels nice to write this one. So if you do read, thank you, I really appreciate it.