Chapter Forty Two
Make Me Forget All My Fears, Make Me Breathe
 

A knock on his and Jongin’s door pulled his attention to it, and it opened just enough for ZiTao’s head to poke in, and Sehun looked back to his mobile as the older fidgeted in the doorway.

“What’s up, ZiTao-Hyung?” he asked, and the other opened the door a little more.

“Ge is out with his boyfriend, and Minseok-Hyung has interviews and appointments all day. Can I come lay with you?” Sehun was pretty sure part of the reason that ZiTao was a frequent visitor in his and Jongin’s bed was because of the first impression the duo had left on the older back when they had went to comfort him when Yifan brought him to the dorm and they had all fallen asleep in a pile on ZiTao’s bed. Not that they minded, touch was something they enjoyed in the platonic sense, hence why they slept with their beds pushed together in the corner of the room, so he shifted a little to the side. ZiTao closed the door behind him, crossing the room to plop on the bed in a blanket heap that made Sehun chuckle a little.

“You’ve been in here enough to know we have blankets, you didn’t have to bring your entire bedding with you,” He teased, ZiTao poking him in the side of his stomach in retaliation before he snuggled a little closer.

“I know.”

“Is there a reason you dragged them across the dorm then?” Sehun asked, watching the other’s blond hair disappear under the blankets, his muffled voice drowned out by them. “Can’t hear you Hyung,” Sehun stated with a laugh. He heard the older huff a little before peeking out from under the pile.

“They smell like Minseok-Hyung,” ZiTao said, and Sehun didn’t have to look at him to know that he was pouting. He did feel sympathetic for the other though. Both his boyfriend and platonic soulmate were graduating the same year, and Yifan was a rare sight most of the time as he spent most weekends flying to China on business trips or to help his father with his mother who had fallen ill last month. The time the eldest spent in Korea was devoted to catching up on his studies, taking care of graduation and trying to juggle the little free time he had between both Yixing and ZiTao. Sehun wondered if the poor guy actually got any sleep these days, and from what he had heard about Minseok from LuHan, ZiTao at least didn’t have to worry about that detail with the copper head since his blood was mostly caffeine.

“You know what you need? A nice pick me up,” Sehun said, ZiTao pulling the blanket pile tighter around himself.

“I think I would rather stay in here and mope,” he stated, Sehun giving a tisk of his tongue.

“Too bad, Hyung. You should have hidden in your room then,” he said, starting a group chat on his mobile, adding Jongin and telling him to add Kyungsoo and Chanyeol since he didn’t have their numbers.

Jongin> Why do you suddenly want to have a group chat with me and Hyungs?

Sehun> Because we should all go out for ice cream together. I didn’t get to go last time because I was working. Remember? At the place you all decided to go to, and then you were a

Chanyeol> Ice cream actually sounds good rn. Can I bring Baek, or do you just want it to be us four?

Sehun> It would be five, I’m bring ZiTao along so he stops growing mushrooms from moping around the house.

He hit send just before the blond swatted his arm, firmly stating that he wasn’t growing mushrooms, and Sehun laughed, pushing him off when ZiTao tried to take his mobile, and it buzzed. When Sehun looked back to the chat he saw that Baekhyun had been added to the chat.

Baekhyun> What’s going on?

Chanyeol> We’re planning a trip for ice cream. I know you were planning to hang with Jongdae today, maybe you two would like to join us?

Kyungsoo> There goes the hope that it’ll be a peaceful afternoon.

Baekhyun> Jongdae says only if he can bring Junmyeon-Hyung. Apparently Yixing-Hyung is out so Junmyeon was going to spend the day alone.

Sehun> Alright, so that makes me, ZiTao, Jongin, Kyungsoo, Chanyeol, Baekhyun, Jongdae and Junmyeon-Hyungs. Right?

Kyungsoo> Is ZiTao not bringing someone? What about LuHan-Hyung?

Sehun> Hyung’s out with his friend, and ZiTao’s boyfriend is busy. That’s why I’m trying to get him out of the dorm.

Jongin> So where should we go? Coldstone?

Sehun> They’re closed this week for remodeling, so it’ll have to be somewhere else.

Baekhyun> Jongdae says he knows of a good place a few blocks from the school, called ‘Yummy frozen treat’

Kyungsoo> Seriously?

Baekhyun> Hey, I’m not the one who named it

Kyungsoo> You might as well have

Sehun rolled his eyes, sitting up and nudging ZiTao off of where he had laid on his lap, getting up from the bed.

Sehun> Sounds good. Let’s meet there in an hour

He sent before setting his mobile on the nightstand and turning to ZiTao.

“You’re going to have to give up the blanket pile, I don’t think Yifan-Hyung would be happy if you got the designer sheets he bought you muddy,” he said, trying to pry them from the older’s grip.

Half an hour later the two were dressed and making their way to the address that Baekhyun had posted in the group chat, and Sehun was surprised that they weren’t the last two to arrive with how much ZiTao was dragging his feet as they made their way there. He watched the way Chanyeol jerked, as if he planned to hurry over to Baekhyun once he, Jongdae and Junmyeon were in sight before trying to resist the urge, and he turned his attention to ZiTao. It wasn’t really his business what was going on between the two, but he couldn’t help but feel concerned for the older; he was well aware of how worried Jongin was, and he was a little amused when they all made their way inside and Jongin sat beside Chanyeol before Baekhyun could. Baekhyun’s eyebrows scrunched up a little before he gave a slight roll of his eyes before sitting across from Chanyeol instead.

Once they had all picked their seats, ZiTao settling over in one of the corners despite Sehun trying to get him to sit closer to the middle so he would actually talk to the others, they started going up to the counter a few at a time to order their scoops of ice cream. Jongin was still keeping close to Chanyeol as Baekhyun went up at the same time to order ice cream, and he shot a warning look at the back of the brunet’s head when he asked Chanyeol if he asked Chanyeol if he was going to buy for both of them; though something in his voice made it seem like it wasn’t a question.

“I only have enough money on me for one, Baek,” Chanyeol said, the brunet crossing his arms over his chest and stepping closer to the ice cream case.

“Fine by me, we’ll share a strawberry scoop.” Chanyeol frowned, inching closer to Baekhyun.

“Baek, I don’t want strawberry, I want something like the chocolate with peanut butter cups,” he said, Baekhyun turning around to face him.

“That’s too sweet. We’re getting the strawberry.”

“Baekhyun, no. If we’re going to share then let’s get something we’ll both actually eat.”

“Why do I get the feeling that this is exactly how ordering the wedding cake is going to go?” Jongdae chirped, earning a sharp look from Baekhyun.

“Screw you.”

“Since Junnie lifted the no- ban last week, I’m good,” Jongdae grinned, earning a light push from Junmyeon. Baekhyun turned his sharp look back up to Chanyeol.

“We’re getting strawberry.”

“For the love of god, if I give you two the money to get a second flavor, will you shut up?” The other seven fell silent, turning their attentions to Kyungsoo who looked about ready to throw something at Baekhyun. Chanyeol curled a little in on himself, dropping his gaze.

“You shouldn’t have to do that, Kyungsoo,” He said softly, turning a little away when Kyungsoo held out a few bills to him. “I should be able to buy Baekhyun ice cream.”

“Then you buy his, and I’ll buy yours.” Kyungsoo decided, Chanyeol finally giving in and taking the bills and going to order.

“So what’s everyone planning for Valentine’s day?” Junmyeon asked once they were all settled back at the table, ZiTao scrunching more up in his corner.

“I think Baekhyun and Chanyeol-Hyung should hurry and plan the wedding to make sure they can find a place for that day,” Jongdae said, Junmyeon looking slowly over at him while Baekhyun shot him a dirty look.

“What is it with you today and them getting married?” Junmyeon asked, the brunet shrugging and taking a from his cone.

“We could get married instead, Junnie.”

“No one’s getting married!” Baekhyun exclaimed, Jongdae turning a pout to him.

“Baekhyuuuuun, you don’t get to decide that no one’s getting married,” he argued, ZiTao groaning a little and turning to Sehun, tugging on his arm.

“What part of taking me out to hang out with three couples is supposed to make me feel better about not being able to see Minseok-Hyung?” He asked, frowning and tugging harder on the blond’s arm when he didn’t look up from his mobile. “Sehun,” he whined, the other finally looking up at him.

“What’s wrong, Hyung?”

“You dragged me out of a triple date, that’s what’s wrong. And then you’re just sitting there texting LuHan-Ge,” he deadpanned, Sehun looking back down at his mobile.

“I brought you out to help you make new friends, and you’re just hiding in the corner being miserable, Hyung,” the youngest pointed out, ZiTao sighing in an almost dramatic fashion before crossing his arms over his chest and leaning against the wall.

“I’d be less miserable in my blanket nest,” he grumbled and Sehun rolled his eyes.

“Or if you actually talked to them. They’re not that bad,” Sehun said, trailing off when he looked over at the others to find Jongdae sitting in Junmyeon’s lap while the older tried to push him away.

“But Junnie, I spilt ice cream on myself and I can’t reach it,” the brunet whined, and Sehun could feel ZiTao glaring at him before he stood from the table.

“I’m going home,” He stated, moving away before Sehun could try to catch him, and Sehun frowned. Jongin watched the blond leave before looking across to Sehun.

“Why did Hyung leave?” He asked, the rest of the table quieting down, Sehun rubbing the back of his neck.

“He’s missing his boyfriend a lot, so I think that bringing him out with everyone might have been a bad idea, now that I think about it,” he admitted, Jongdae flinching when Junmyeon flicked him on the chest.

“It’s reasons like this that you really need to learn how to actually behave in public.

ZiTao sighed as he slid of out his shows, not caring how hard he shut the door behind himself. He made his way towards his and Yifan’s room, dragging his feet, and his eyes widened when he saw the older sitting on his bed in their room.

“Ge? I thought you were out with Yixing-Ge,” he said as Yifan looked up from his mobile, setting it on his nightstand.

“Something didn’t feel right, and you weren’t answering my texts so I asked him if we could take a rain check so I could make sure you were alright,” Yifan explained, crossing the room to stand in front of ZiTao, whose gaze was locked on the floor. “ZiTao, what’s wrong?” he pressed, ZiTao’s head coming against his chest with an inaudible thud, and he wrapped his arms around the younger gently.

“You’re busy with work and Yixing-Ge, Minseok-Hyung’s busy with graduating, Victoria-Jei’s got a girlfriend that she’s always off with… It’s like none of you ever have time for me anymore,” He mumbled against the older’s chest, his mobile falling from his hands as he reached up to grab a hold of the front of Yifan’s chest, feeling the older tighten his hold. Yifan let go of ZiTao just long enough to lead him over to his bed, situating himself quickly before the blond snuggled close up to him, and ZiTao seemed to relax a little when he felt Yifan carding his fingers thorugh his hair.

“I’m sorry I’ve been so busy suddenly,” Yifan murmured, and ZiTao shook his head a little.

“It’s not your fault your mom’s been sick,” ZiTao said, Yifan’s hand pausing briefly before continuing to card through the younger’s hair.

“Yeah. My father has been needing a lot of help with the company lately, which adds onto my internship there during my trips. It’s just been poor timing, everything’s happening all at once it seems,” he sighed, feeling ZiTao cringe. “And that shouldn’t mean that I sacrifice my time with you, I’m sorry that I have been.

“Ge, please stop apologizing,” ZiTao demanded, though his tone didn’t hold much authority. “It’s not up to you to make sure that I’m taken care of.”

“ZiTao, that’s part of being someone’s soulmate,” Yifan countered, looking over at where ZiTao’s phone was still laying on the floor as it rang, and ZiTao made no movement to go get it. “ZiTao?”

“It’s probably just Sehun.”

“Why would you think that Sehun’s calling you?”

“Because… I sotra walked out on him…” ZiTao looked up at the confused expression spreading across the older’s face, sighing deeply. “He decided that I was moping too much, so he dragged me out to go hang with three other couples as if that would make me feel any better about my own boyfriend being too busy to spend time with me, so I left because he was just sitting there on his mobile, texting LuHan-Ge,” ZiTao huffed. Yifan opened his mouth to reply, ZiTao’s ring tone cutting him off and he sat up, moving from the bed to retrieve the device, cringing a little before he held the device to ZiTao as it silenced itself.

“It’s not Sehun.” ZiTao rolled onto his other side to look at his mobile, sitting straight up when he saw the caller ID. He took his mobile, unlocking it and calling the person back.

“I was starting to think you were ignoring me, Kid.” He could hear the other’s smile, as well as the way his breathing was a little labored, and he frowned despite the ease that the other’s voice brought him.

“Why do you sound like you’ve been running, Minseok-Hyung? Are those jerks giving you a hard time again?” ZiTao asked, the other laughing in response.

“No, I’m pretty sure you scared them away last month.” That didn’t answer ZiTao’s question, and his frown deepened. “Can you do me a favor though? Open your front door.” ZiTao slid off of Yifan’s bed, crossing the room and making his way to the front door, opening it as the other had asked. His eyes widened a little and he knelt down in front of the dark blue basket, bursting with boxes of an assorted mix of candies, as well as peach flavored juices. He reached out, taking the note from the single rose in a vase in the center, eyes tracing over the writing, his heart skipping a beat at it being written in Chinese

Friday at 6pm, meet me at the coffee shop.

We’re going out for hot pot~<3

“How about it, Kid? Sound like a good date?” Minseok asked, ZiTao trying to swallow the lump in his throat to respond.

“Did you run here to drop this off?” Minseok laughed, and he felt the loneliness starting to leave him already.

“Yeah, Wonshik knew that I haven’t gotten the chance to see you, so he gave up his lunch break so I could take an hour and make a little care basket for you. It’s been too long since I’ve given you one, don’t you think?”

“Minseok-Hyung, you didn’t have to do that.”

“I know, but I wanted to. I have to go back to work now, but will I see you Friday?” ZiTao felt a slight sting in his nose as his eyes started to water, and he nodded before finding his voice again.

“Yes.”