In Between Today and Forever - Kris x Tao - 09/09
Part one here.
Kris releases himself from Baekhyun and runs out of the dining hall. He manages to catch up to Tao who's leaning against a wall and catching his breath. "Tao!"
Tao turns to him and immediately sprints out. Kris curses the long corridors of the dining hall and how it's disconnected from the main building of the resort. He runs faster to make it at par with Tao's strides.
"TAO!" Kris screams after the younger who's still stalking away from the dining hall. "Huang Zitao!"
Tao doesn't look back and keeps walking fast. Kris runs after him and he doesn't take too long before he is grabbing Tao's arm and turning the other to face him, "What the hell was that?!"
"I... I'm flying home. I can't stay another minute with you within hand's reach! Let me go!"
"Tell me what's wrong!"
"You left me because I cheated?! Yet here you are flirting with some bimbo with fake boobs when you clearly said you're dating someone in Canada!"
"And this concerns you how?!"
"You kissed me yesterday for free coffee! How low do you want me to feel?! How cheap am I to you?!"
"I don't understand you, Zitao. It's just a kiss and an obvious set up by Baekhyun and Chanyeol!"
"Just a kiss? That kiss hurts, Kris!" Tao screams the older's name and he realizes how long it's been since that same name rolled out of his tongue. "How long do you plan to punish me? I can't believe you accused me of cheating when you're clearly a cheater yourself!"
"Kevin and I are casually dating and we're free to see other people! I don't know why I'm even explaining this to you when this does not concern you at all!"
"THIS!? This is wrong! Everything is wrong!" Tao breaks down and starts crying, "I'm fucking wrong!"
"Tao... I don't understand..."
Tao covers his face with his free hand and cries uncontrollably, "If I could go back to that day two years ago... I would never let you walk out of that door. I would have ran after you and if I had to drag you back inside so we can talk that night I would have done so!"
Kris releases Tao's arm and the younger covers the rest of his face with both hands, "I waited for you to come back... I was in denial for a year because I thought you'd change your mind... I started traveling to get my mind off things and then this..."
The rain starts to fall but Tao continues to cry while Kris watches the younger break down in front of him, the older wipes his face from the mixture of the rain and his own tears before speaking, "Tao... you cheated on me."
Tao looks up and shakes his head, "Do you still believe that?! I never cheated on you. I lied... but never cheated on you. I can't even hold somebody else's hand without thinking of you let alone cheat!"
"Why are you telling me this now?"
"Because Kris... god. I still love you. Despite everything... the arguments, the fighting... even with all that... I would still choose to be with you... but that's not going to happen, isn't it?" Tao stares at Kris before continuing, "You're happy now and I wish I could tell you genuinely that I am happy for you, that I'm okay and things will get better... but I can't... I really can't. Not when I'm still miserable. Not when I still miss you everyday."
Tao shakes his head again and wipes his tears. He smiles bitterly at Kris, "Forget what I said. I don't know why I kept holding on to my delusions that one day you're gonna come back and walk inside our apartment when clearly, you've let go of the end of the rope the moment you walked out of that door and out of my life. I guess it's really over for me. It's been over for you for a while now. I'm sorry... just... I'm going to leave."
Tao turns to leave but Kris grabs his arm and turns him back around, "Don't I get a say in this?"
Tao tries to shrug Kris' hold but the older just holds him tighter, "You think I never tried coming back? I am dating casually because I can't forget you. I was irrational when I walked out that door and was too proud to come back."
Tao furrows his brows and looks at Kris straight in the eyes, "What do you mean...?"
"It was never over, Tao. If it isn't for you, I'm sure as hell it isn't for me." Kris tells him before pulling him into a heated kiss which Tao responds to with more intensity, hunger, longing. "Kris..."
The older wipes Tao's face with his hands even with the rain still falling, he kisses him again before pulling him inside the hotel and running towards their bedroom, stopping for a kiss or two while walking through the deserted corridor.
Kris fumbles with the card key as he presses Tao against the door without cutting the kiss. Tao moans in his mouth as their wet clothes cling closer into their skin and as the warmth seep through their pores. The kiss breaks when Tao almost falls over when the door finally opens but Kris catches him in time and connects their mouths again.
Kris removes his coat hurriedly as Tao unbuttons the older's dress shirt, once the older male is half-naked, Kris works on removing Tao's coat and unbuttons his long-sleeved polo as well. Tao loosens his tie but Kris stops him, the older pulls on the silk material and pulls Tao closer into their kiss if it's any more possible. Tao breaks the kiss to take in some air, Kris' lips travel from his mouth, to his jaw, down to his neck. Tao moans as Kris presses him against one of the walls of the bedroom and their hardening cocks brush against the wet material of their slacks and underwears.
"K-Kris..." Tao groans as Kris kisses him full on the mouth again. His breath hitches when he finally feels the cold air of the airconditioned room hit his legs when Kris removed his pants and starts grabbing his ass and massages his cheeks.
"Kris... Kris..." Tao threads his fingers on Kris long hair and he loves how soft it feels in between the gaps of his fingers, he groans from the slight pain when Kris lifts him up slightly and his bare back brushes against the rough material of the wall, "Tao... Fuck..." Kris groans as he sucks on a nipple and his hand takes Tao's cock and starts pumping the younger's member fast. Tao moans erratically and his body slides against the wall and even if he's in pleasure he can already feel scratches forming on his back.
"Kris... Hurts... Bed... Please..."
Kris chuckles and wraps Tao's legs against his waist, the younger kisses Kris and wraps his arms around the older's neck. Kris takes him on his bed and then goes on top of him without cutting the kiss, when he detaches himself from Tao, he stares at the younger with a smirk, "You're heavier..."
"Fuck off..." Tao pushes Kris but the older chuckles mischievously again and nuzzles his nose against Tao's neck, "You always smell so good..."
Tao moans again with his eyes closed when Kris' lips travel from his neck to his chest, the older finally loosening Tao's tie completely. Tao notices that Kris has stopped whatever he's doing and opens his eyes.
"You wear them...?"
"I couldn't let them go..."
Kris leans down and bites down on one of the rings and brings it to Tao's lips, he presses a kiss with the silver band in between their lips and then he releases it, "Kris..." Tao's voice trembles and he starts to cry, the older hushes him by kissing him properly while his hand grabs Tao's cock and pumps the leaking muscle. Tao moans as he cries and he screams out Kris' name when he comes after a few more pumps.
Kris smears his hand with Tao's cum and uses a coated finger to enter Tao's hole. Tao's cries mix the pain of the intrusion and he just keeps calling out Kris' name because he feels like this is just a dream and when it's over, it's really over and it will just be another fleeting memory for the both of them. Kris enters another digit and Tao arches his back in pleasure, "Kris... Please... Fuck..."
"What do you want, Zitao?"
"Enter me. Fuck me. Hard. Please..."
Kris leans down to kiss Tao again as he removes his pants and boxers. His throbbing cock is already leaking with pre-cum and he coats his member with it. He gives it a few strokes and positions himself in front of Tao's entrance. Kris grunts as he enters the ring of muscle and it feels new and familiar at the same time. "Tao... Fuck..."
"Now... Please... Fuck me now." Tao begs between his sobs and Kris begins to thrust inside the younger male. Slow and teasing at first, which only makes Tao cry and beg some more. Eventually, the slow pace of his minstrations is followed by hard and fast thrustings as Tao wraps his legs on his waist and pushes himself into Kris' cock deeper with each slap of skin on skin.
Kris gathers Tao from the bed and on his lap as he keeps thrusting inside of him, moaning the younger's name over and over. Tao becomes uncoordinated as Kris pumps his cock again and the younger looks for any kind of support as the second wave of his orgasm hits hims he spills in between their stomachs.
"Kris... Come inside me..." Tao whispers as he cries on the crook of Kris' neck. The older pushes himself deeper inside of Tao and he groans in pleasure as he releases himself inside of Tao and the younger can feel the heat fill him into overflowing.
They stay tangled in silence as they bask in post-coital bliss. The sounds that echo inside the room are Kris' heavy breathing and Tao's sobs still muffled against the older male's skin. Kris removes his limp cock out of Tao but retains their position with Tao on his lap and the younger's face still buried on the crook of his neck.
Kris brushes his hand gently up and down Tao's spine as the younger keeps sobbing. He doesn't say anything and just rocks Tao softly to ease the younger's pain.
"I love you. I love you, Kris. I want you back. Please... Please.. "
Kris keeps his silence as Tao repeats the words over and over as a mantra of sorts. A few minutes later, there is complete silence and when Kris checks, Tao has fallen asleep.
Tao wakes up and looks at the wall clock hanging on the wall opposite from the bed he's lying on, it's 4 in the morning. 6 hours before the wedding, 6 hours to decide whether he should slip out of the bedroom or not. Last night was amazing, he won't deny that but last night was also a display of stupidity and another trophy to his shelf of regrets. He shifts to get out of bed silently but the arm around his waist only pulls him closer.
"Where are you going...?"
"I don't know. Kris... what happens now...?"
Kris turns Tao around and stares at him through the dim of the moon outside, "What do you want?"
Tao shrugs and answers with his voice breaking, "I want you back...? I told you I want you back..."
Kris sighs and takes Tao's hand to kiss, "We're a mess together..."
"I don't care. I'll forget everything from two years ago if you'll do the same... Kris..." Tao starts to sob, "I can't be without you... I never could..."
Kris moves closer and presses his forehead against Tao's, "I am Wu Yifan..." Tao's eyes widen but he lets Kris continue on, "I'm a basketball coach in UBC in Vancouver. I used to be engaged but I ended it because I didnt know how to listen. I was stupid and proud. If you'll have me, please let me take you out on a date, stranger on my bed."
Tao lets his tears fall freely and traces little patterns on Kris' bare chest, "Hi. I'm Huang Zitao. I'm a travel photographer. I used to be engaged but I got dumped because I lied and I was immature. If it's alright with you, I don't have a date for a wedding I'm attending later."
"I missed you.... god." Kris pulls Tao close and kisses him, "I'm so sorry."
"Yifan...?"
"Yes?"
"You introduced yourself to me as Yifan..."
"I reconciled with my family. I still don't let anybody call me Yifan, though..." Kris takes Tao's hand and places it on his cheek, caressing his skin against the younger's palm. "Maybe only you. Privately..."
"Wait... Yifan..."
"Hmn...?"
"...K-Kevin..."
"Don't worry about him."
Tao retracts his hand but Kris pulls the younger so that Tao is on top of him, "I knew you were coming to the wedding. He also knew that if I come here, there's a chance of us getting back together. I didn't think we'd end up on my bed though..."
"Am I the affair? Are you really a cheater now?"
Kris smiles and sits up with Tao on his lap, the younger's legs sprawled on the other's sides, "No. On both questions."
Tao raises an eyebrow and Kris runs his thumbs on the younger's cheeks, "We decided to end everything before I even flew out here. I haven't been completely honest with everyone because I'm scared too. I'm scared that my feelings for you is still too strong for me to control..."
Tao kisses Kris' cheek before staring at him, "Talk to me. I want to know what I've missed in two years."
"What do you want to know?"
"Everything you can tell me right now..."
Kris kisses Tao first before telling him to move on the bed. The older stands and picks up a pair of boxers and a shirt from his suitcase, "We need to put on some clothes or else I might attack you instead."
Tao chuckles and remains still on the bed, "You know I hate putting on clothes after sex."
Kris chuckles and throws one of his shirts to the younger, "Please, put something on."
Tao pouts and puts Kris' shirt on but does not button them properly, the older sits next to him and Tao immediately wraps himself around the older, "What happened to you?"
"I went back to Canada the soonest that I could to get away from you. I mean... who wants to see a stranger's shirt inside a bedroom you share with your fiancé?"
"You still haven't let me explain about that shirt..."
"Will you tell me now...?"
"Will your mind change if I do?"
Kris shakes his head and Tao stares at him, "He was walking home with me when torrents of rain came falling. I... I told him to sleep over because I was scared of the weather. We were wet and I lent him my shirt and washed his. He slept on the couch and not in our bedroom..."
"He brought you dinner, that means he's been in our place not just once."
Tao nods and sighs, "I... I hate eating alone. When our classes don't clash, he comes over to eat with me. I know I should have asked one of our friends but I just thought they have their own lives to worry about me..."
Kris nods and cups Tao's face with his hand, "You told everyone he said he liked you even when we were still engaged... Were you confessed to when you were out together?"
Tao looks down and mumbles a 'yes'.
"I see."
"And honestly, I was craving for someone's attention... Someone who adores me. You weren't there... You weren't exactly there even before you went to Canada..."
"Look at me."
Tao lifts his head apprehensively and stares at Kris, the older smiles at him and speaks, "I was a douche, in some way. I apologize for that, I guess I was really confident that you won't need somebody else. I thought if you knew that I was doing it for us, you'd love me even more. I thought that if I leave you alone for a while, you'll grow more mature... And I'm sorry. I was selfish in that way.... I never asked what you wanted."
Tao is crying again and Kris kisses his cheeks, "What would you have wanted...?"
"I wanted you to stay... I told you a thousand times to please stay..."
Kris shakes his head and removes Tao from him. He takes his phone from the pockets of his discarded coat and sits across Tao again, "I can't do that."
"Why not?"
"I needed a higher paycheck with less time away from home..." Kris stops browsing his phone and shows Tao a picture, "This is our beach house in Jeju, Tao."
Tao is speechless and stares at Kris. The older smiles and hands Tao his phone, "Look at it."
"Oh my god... Oh my god..." Tao starts to cry as he stares at the house. It's still a bit unfinished but it already feels like home to him. He doesn't stop crying as he gives Kris back his phone and the older gathers him in his arms, "Tao, you're hyperventilating..."
"If you told me, I wouldn't be jealous of your work then... I would have worked part-time to help..."
"And I would not want that. This was a surprise for you, and I was just planning on selling the finished house after I broke the engagement. Maybe the construction is prolonged due to the fact that I am not really over you."
Tao breathes faster and faster, Kris kisses the side of his face. "We can go there someday..."
Tao nods and wraps his arms around Kris, "Thank you..." The older hugs him closer and kisses the top of his head. He looks at the clock on the wall and it's almost 5 in the morning. "Get more rest. I'm gonna go get something from the café."
Tao shakes his head. "I'll go with you. I need some air."
"Alright." Kris smiles and they both get dressed properly. Kris watches as Tao snaps the dress shirt close. The older sits across Tao and stops him, Kris traces a finger on Tao's bare chest and hooks it on the chain on his neck, "Tao..."
"Yes?"
"Will you hold onto these rings for a while?"
Tao blinks at Kris and the older male kisses him, "I love you, but we have to take things slower this time, okay?"
"Okay." Tao smiles and hugs Kris, "Let's go. I'm hungry..."
Kris dresses himself properly and they walk out of the room only to find their friends in the hallway. Kris' eyes widen and he nudges Chanyeol lightly with his foot. The tall Korean grunts but opens an eye anyway and blinks blindly at Kris.
"What are you all doing here? Even Joonmyun?!"
Baekhyun wakes from his sleep and immediately grabs both their hands, "Fucking shit, man! I bet 100,000 won that both of you will be engaged again!"
"I win?! Holy shit! Jongdae! We are gonna have awesome food when we get back home!" Minseok exclaims loudly and the rest of their friends rouse from their sleep. Kris calms his breath and shakes his head, "After all these years, we're still betting?"
"Don't worry, you two. I made sure none of them follow you here until after the rehearsal. I made sure the rehearsal drags on and on." Joonmyun is smiling at Tao and Kris and the other two cant help but thank him endlessly.
Kris checks the time on his phone, "It's almost 5 in the morning and we all have a wedding to attend in a few hours. Get back to your rooms, guys."
"So, are you two dating again?" Jongin asks as he leans a sleeping Kyungsoo against him, Tao looks at Kris and the older just shrugs, "No. We're not yet dating. You're all keeping us from having a breakfast date, though."
Tao chuckles and Kris takes his hand, "Come on, everyone. I think we should all just eat breakfast together."
------
The wedding goes by perfectly, except that most of the groomsmen are lacking sleep, including the groom. For a moment, Joonmyun spaces out, and his best man, Yixing, had to step in and nudge him awake.
Tao sits on the back with Luhan, Jongdae, Kyungsoo, and Baekhyun. They're two rows away from where their partners are and Tao smiles when Kris looks at him with a smile once the bride and groom states their vows. Kris mouths the words, 'I love you,' and the younger does the same.
"You're back as the gross couple, just saying." Baekhyun nudges his side teasingly and the younger squeezes his arm lightly, "I haven't thanked you yet... Thank you, Baek... If you didn't do what you did, I don't think we'll reconcile."
"It's what best friends do. I hope you become happier."
"I will be."
They head to the reception and they're gathered into two tables. They have all eaten and they're all waiting for the bride and groom to arrive when Kris leans over and whispers, "I'm still gonna dance with her, okay?"
Tao glares sideways but breaks into a smile, "But you're an awkward dancer."
Kris chuckles and pinches Tao's nose, "I am not." Tao laughs and Kris pinches Tao's cheeks, "You have to thank the best man for his impromptu rehearsal this morning." Tao pouts and takes Kris' hand away from his face.
"Dance like you mean it." Tao smiles and places their intertwined hands under the table. Kris kisses his cheek and leans his forehead on Tao's shoulder, "I'm so exhausted."
"Two years worth of angry make-up sex can be a little exhausting, am I right?" Baekhyun grins at them playfully as he puts his chin on his palm and stares at them from across the table, "Oh, you two. What would happen to the both of you when I'm not around?"
"We won't have to deal with your dirty mouth, that's one." Kris tells him monotonously without lifting his head from Tao's shoulder.
"I love his dirty mouth." Chanyeol comments and Tao facepalms. "You love it because he sucks your dick with it." Kris tells them again without batting an eyelash.
"Kris!" Tao pushes Kris away from him and the older instinctively grabs Tao and locks him in an embrace, "I love yours, too."
There's a collective gasp and gagging sounds in their table, meanwhile Tao is beet red and Kris is laughing openly as he buries his head on Tao's shoulder, "I'm sorry. I just thought I'd tease you." Kris tells him and kisses his neck. Tao glares and huffs through his nose, "Not funny."
"Really? I thought it was."
Someone clears his throat from behind the couple and when they look up, the groomsmen are already gathered, "If you're done flirting, we're about to dance."
"Sorry, Yixing." Kris gives Tao's nose a hard pinch before standing and leaving their table. Tao is soothing the pain off his nose when he notices the rest of his friends staring at him, "What is it?"
"We're happy you're happy." Luhan tells him with a smile, "What's the plan? Are you moving to Canada with him? Is he gonna come back in Seoul?"
Tao shakes his head, "No idea. One day at a time, I guess. Yesterday, we got back together, today he's my date. Tomorrow is a new day, and we're taking things slow."
Jongdae smiles at him, "No more random midnight phone calls , okay?"
"I was drunk and it was our anniversary!"
"Yeah. And it's also the first time Minseok slept over."
Tao apologizes again and then Kyungsoo adds, "And no more boxes of cake." The older male shakes his head, "If we didn't bump into Jonghyun-hyung and asked us if we're throwing a party with all the cakes you ordered in his shop, you'd be dead by now."
Tao laughs openly and sighs, "Death by tons of cakes. I never felt so sick, I think I threw up all the contents of my stomach since childhood."
They all laugh and Tao shakes his head with the memory, "I was really pathetic, huh?"
"You were... ARE in love. I'd probably be worse if Chanyeol and I breaks up."
"You're stronger. If you were weaker, you wont survive everything until yesterday. Good job, maknae." Jongdae gives him a thumbs up and Tao nods, "You're right. Thank you, all of you."
Kyungsoo tells them to watch their boyfriends when the music finally starts and the 5 of them on the table laughs inwardly as the ladies still try to flirt with their partners, even the girl from yesterday.
"Minseok looks so serious." Jongdae comments and the four of them agrees. "Jongin looks like he's about to cry." Kyungsoo chuckles and Luhan points out at Sehun who's obviously dancing by the numbers and giggles, "This looks like their rite of passage. It's so funny."
"Chanyeol is keeping distance as if she's got STD, dear god." Baekhyun laughs and glares at his boyfriend so he'll dance better. "He looks so beautiful dancing like that. Not with that bitch, of course." Tao comments dreamily and the others are quick to agree.
"Yixing can get every one of those skanks later, obviously." Jongdae adds and Luhan raises an eyebrow, "Yixing is not that cheap."
They all laugh and watch as the music comes to an end, the dancers take a bow and clap their hands for the newlyweds.
The night goes on and on, Joonmyun looking like the happiest yet most awkward groom ever. His bride looks lovingly at him all the time and then the program comes to a near close and a few of them stay, most are dancing with their respective partners this time.
"What happens tomorrow?" Tao whispers as he dances with Kris, "I have a flight back to Incheon after lunch. Are you going back to Canada?"
"My flight's around yours."
"I see. We'll work it out, I guess?" Tao blinks at Kris and they stare at each other for a moment. The younger raises an eyebrow at the older male, "What is it?"
Kris leans down and kisses him lightly then stares at Tao again, "Come with me."
"What?"
"I'm serious. Fly with me to Vancouver."
Tao says nothing and just looks at the other male's eyes. He smiles after a brief silence and leans over to reach Kris' ears.
"I could go anywhere with you and I'd probably be happy."
Kris smiles and hugs Tao closer, "I promise you, you will be."
"Don't make promises, I already know that I will be."
"Let's get out of here."
-----
Tao wakes up at the break of dawn and walks out of the balcony. The view from the room is magnificent in the morning when the waves are calm and soothing. He takes in the morning air and watches the sky turn from grey to blue.
He feels warm arms wrap around him and Tao instinctively leans his head on his hugger's shoulder.
"Good morning, love."
"Good morning."
Kris pulls Tao closer and embraces him tighter, "Aren't you cold?"
"Never cold when you're around."
Kris kisses Tao's cheek and they bask in silence for as they wait for the sun to come up. The sun is barely peeking from the horizon when Kris' phone rings from inside the bedroom. Tao sighs with a smile when Kris removes himself from Tao and then returns with his phone in speaker.
"What is it, Princes Zhenzhen?" Kris asks when he answers the call.
'Dad! It's Sophia. Sophia!'
Tao chuckles as his daughter giggles from the other line, "Princess, it's barely 6 in the morning here, what's the rush?"
'I always forget the timezone! Anyway, our flight's been delayed until tomorrow. Clark and I are already in the airport. Freaking engine trouble.'
"That's alright. How are the kids ?" Kris asks as he wraps Tao in his arms again.
'They're here. Wait, let me get Winter and Summer!'
'Grand dad,! Grand papa! We miss you! Take us to the beach when we arrive okay?!!!'
"Of course. We'll take you to our favorite restaurant, too."
'We can't wait! See you!!! Mama said to hang up now, so bye-bye!'
The call ends and the couple laughs, "I made breakfast, shall we eat?" Kris asks as he releases Tao from his embrace.
Tao nods and takes another look at Jeju's morning horizon then takes Kris' hand in his.
"Hey, Yifan...?"
"Hmn?" The older turns to look at Tao. The other male smiles at him.
"Thank you."
Kris smiles and steps closer to the Tao. He lifts a hand and traces the wrinkles on his forehead then puts a stray gray hair behind Tao's ear, "Thank you, too. For everything. For our little forever."
Tao smiles and hugs Kris briefly before he steps back and looks at him with a smile, "Shall we go? I'm quite hungry."
Kris nods and leads Tao out of their bedroom, wrinkly fingers locked in a tight hold, silver rings glistening against the light of the morning sun.
-------------
Author' Notes: I am now closing this story, and what an adventure it was. When it all started with "Of Movie Clichés", I didn't even think it will have multiple chapters, let alone 2 other story arcs.
To all my readers, thank you. You were all wonderful and your comments make me happy. Thank you for sticking with me, and thank you for sticking with Tao and Yifan.
Until I update my other stories, see you then!
Kris releases himself from Baekhyun and runs out of the dining hall. He manages to catch up to Tao who's leaning against a wall and catching his breath. "Tao!"
Tao turns to him and immediately sprints out. Kris curses the long corridors of the dining hall and how it's disconnected from the main building of the resort. He runs faster to make it at par with Tao's strides.
"TAO!" Kris screams after the younger who's still stalking away from the dining hall. "Huang Zitao!"
Tao doesn't look back and keeps walking fast. Kris runs after him and he doesn't take too long before he is grabbing Tao's arm and turning the other to face him, "What the hell was that?!"
"I... I'm flying home. I can't stay another minute with you within hand's reach! Let me go!"
"Tell me what's wrong!"
"You left me because I cheated?! Yet here you are flirting with some bimbo with fake boobs when you clearly said you're dating someone in Canada!"
"And this concerns you how?!"
"You kissed me yesterday for free coffee! How low do you want me to feel?! How cheap am I to you?!"
"I don't understand you, Zitao. It's just a kiss and an obvious set up by Baekhyun and Chanyeol!"
"Just a kiss? That kiss hurts, Kris!" Tao screams the older's name and he realizes how long it's been since that same name rolled out of his tongue. "How long do you plan to punish me? I can't believe you accused me of cheating when you're clearly a cheater yourself!"
"Kevin and I are casually dating and we're free to see other people! I don't know why I'm even explaining this to you when this does not concern you at all!"
"THIS!? This is wrong! Everything is wrong!" Tao breaks down and starts crying, "I'm fucking wrong!"
"Tao... I don't understand..."
Tao covers his face with his free hand and cries uncontrollably, "If I could go back to that day two years ago... I would never let you walk out of that door. I would have ran after you and if I had to drag you back inside so we can talk that night I would have done so!"
Kris releases Tao's arm and the younger covers the rest of his face with both hands, "I waited for you to come back... I was in denial for a year because I thought you'd change your mind... I started traveling to get my mind off things and then this..."
The rain starts to fall but Tao continues to cry while Kris watches the younger break down in front of him, the older wipes his face from the mixture of the rain and his own tears before speaking, "Tao... you cheated on me."
Tao looks up and shakes his head, "Do you still believe that?! I never cheated on you. I lied... but never cheated on you. I can't even hold somebody else's hand without thinking of you let alone cheat!"
"Why are you telling me this now?"
"Because Kris... god. I still love you. Despite everything... the arguments, the fighting... even with all that... I would still choose to be with you... but that's not going to happen, isn't it?" Tao stares at Kris before continuing, "You're happy now and I wish I could tell you genuinely that I am happy for you, that I'm okay and things will get better... but I can't... I really can't. Not when I'm still miserable. Not when I still miss you everyday."
Tao shakes his head again and wipes his tears. He smiles bitterly at Kris, "Forget what I said. I don't know why I kept holding on to my delusions that one day you're gonna come back and walk inside our apartment when clearly, you've let go of the end of the rope the moment you walked out of that door and out of my life. I guess it's really over for me. It's been over for you for a while now. I'm sorry... just... I'm going to leave."
Tao turns to leave but Kris grabs his arm and turns him back around, "Don't I get a say in this?"
Tao tries to shrug Kris' hold but the older just holds him tighter, "You think I never tried coming back? I am dating casually because I can't forget you. I was irrational when I walked out that door and was too proud to come back."
Tao furrows his brows and looks at Kris straight in the eyes, "What do you mean...?"
"It was never over, Tao. If it isn't for you, I'm sure as hell it isn't for me." Kris tells him before pulling him into a heated kiss which Tao responds to with more intensity, hunger, longing. "Kris..."
The older wipes Tao's face with his hands even with the rain still falling, he kisses him again before pulling him inside the hotel and running towards their bedroom, stopping for a kiss or two while walking through the deserted corridor.
Kris fumbles with the card key as he presses Tao against the door without cutting the kiss. Tao moans in his mouth as their wet clothes cling closer into their skin and as the warmth seep through their pores. The kiss breaks when Tao almost falls over when the door finally opens but Kris catches him in time and connects their mouths again.
Kris removes his coat hurriedly as Tao unbuttons the older's dress shirt, once the older male is half-naked, Kris works on removing Tao's coat and unbuttons his long-sleeved polo as well. Tao loosens his tie but Kris stops him, the older pulls on the silk material and pulls Tao closer into their kiss if it's any more possible. Tao breaks the kiss to take in some air, Kris' lips travel from his mouth, to his jaw, down to his neck. Tao moans as Kris presses him against one of the walls of the bedroom and their hardening cocks brush against the wet material of their slacks and underwears.
"K-Kris..." Tao groans as Kris kisses him full on the mouth again. His breath hitches when he finally feels the cold air of the airconditioned room hit his legs when Kris removed his pants and starts grabbing his ass and massages his cheeks.
"Kris... Kris..." Tao threads his fingers on Kris long hair and he loves how soft it feels in between the gaps of his fingers, he groans from the slight pain when Kris lifts him up slightly and his bare back brushes against the rough material of the wall, "Tao... Fuck..." Kris groans as he sucks on a nipple and his hand takes Tao's cock and starts pumping the younger's member fast. Tao moans erratically and his body slides against the wall and even if he's in pleasure he can already feel scratches forming on his back.
"Kris... Hurts... Bed... Please..."
Kris chuckles and wraps Tao's legs against his waist, the younger kisses Kris and wraps his arms around the older's neck. Kris takes him on his bed and then goes on top of him without cutting the kiss, when he detaches himself from Tao, he stares at the younger with a smirk, "You're heavier..."
"Fuck off..." Tao pushes Kris but the older chuckles mischievously again and nuzzles his nose against Tao's neck, "You always smell so good..."
Tao moans again with his eyes closed when Kris' lips travel from his neck to his chest, the older finally loosening Tao's tie completely. Tao notices that Kris has stopped whatever he's doing and opens his eyes.
"You wear them...?"
"I couldn't let them go..."
Kris leans down and bites down on one of the rings and brings it to Tao's lips, he presses a kiss with the silver band in between their lips and then he releases it, "Kris..." Tao's voice trembles and he starts to cry, the older hushes him by kissing him properly while his hand grabs Tao's cock and pumps the leaking muscle. Tao moans as he cries and he screams out Kris' name when he comes after a few more pumps.
Kris smears his hand with Tao's cum and uses a coated finger to enter Tao's hole. Tao's cries mix the pain of the intrusion and he just keeps calling out Kris' name because he feels like this is just a dream and when it's over, it's really over and it will just be another fleeting memory for the both of them. Kris enters another digit and Tao arches his back in pleasure, "Kris... Please... Fuck..."
"What do you want, Zitao?"
"Enter me. Fuck me. Hard. Please..."
Kris leans down to kiss Tao again as he removes his pants and boxers. His throbbing cock is already leaking with pre-cum and he coats his member with it. He gives it a few strokes and positions himself in front of Tao's entrance. Kris grunts as he enters the ring of muscle and it feels new and familiar at the same time. "Tao... Fuck..."
"Now... Please... Fuck me now." Tao begs between his sobs and Kris begins to thrust inside the younger male. Slow and teasing at first, which only makes Tao cry and beg some more. Eventually, the slow pace of his minstrations is followed by hard and fast thrustings as Tao wraps his legs on his waist and pushes himself into Kris' cock deeper with each slap of skin on skin.
Kris gathers Tao from the bed and on his lap as he keeps thrusting inside of him, moaning the younger's name over and over. Tao becomes uncoordinated as Kris pumps his cock again and the younger looks for any kind of support as the second wave of his orgasm hits hims he spills in between their stomachs.
"Kris... Come inside me..." Tao whispers as he cries on the crook of Kris' neck. The older pushes himself deeper inside of Tao and he groans in pleasure as he releases himself inside of Tao and the younger can feel the heat fill him into overflowing.
They stay tangled in silence as they bask in post-coital bliss. The sounds that echo inside the room are Kris' heavy breathing and Tao's sobs still muffled against the older male's skin. Kris removes his limp cock out of Tao but retains their position with Tao on his lap and the younger's face still buried on the crook of his neck.
Kris brushes his hand gently up and down Tao's spine as the younger keeps sobbing. He doesn't say anything and just rocks Tao softly to ease the younger's pain.
"I love you. I love you, Kris. I want you back. Please... Please.. "
Kris keeps his silence as Tao repeats the words over and over as a mantra of sorts. A few minutes later, there is complete silence and when Kris checks, Tao has fallen asleep.
Tao wakes up and looks at the wall clock hanging on the wall opposite from the bed he's lying on, it's 4 in the morning. 6 hours before the wedding, 6 hours to decide whether he should slip out of the bedroom or not. Last night was amazing, he won't deny that but last night was also a display of stupidity and another trophy to his shelf of regrets. He shifts to get out of bed silently but the arm around his waist only pulls him closer.
"Where are you going...?"
"I don't know. Kris... what happens now...?"
Kris turns Tao around and stares at him through the dim of the moon outside, "What do you want?"
Tao shrugs and answers with his voice breaking, "I want you back...? I told you I want you back..."
Kris sighs and takes Tao's hand to kiss, "We're a mess together..."
"I don't care. I'll forget everything from two years ago if you'll do the same... Kris..." Tao starts to sob, "I can't be without you... I never could..."
Kris moves closer and presses his forehead against Tao's, "I am Wu Yifan..." Tao's eyes widen but he lets Kris continue on, "I'm a basketball coach in UBC in Vancouver. I used to be engaged but I ended it because I didnt know how to listen. I was stupid and proud. If you'll have me, please let me take you out on a date, stranger on my bed."
Tao lets his tears fall freely and traces little patterns on Kris' bare chest, "Hi. I'm Huang Zitao. I'm a travel photographer. I used to be engaged but I got dumped because I lied and I was immature. If it's alright with you, I don't have a date for a wedding I'm attending later."
"I missed you.... god." Kris pulls Tao close and kisses him, "I'm so sorry."
"Yifan...?"
"Yes?"
"You introduced yourself to me as Yifan..."
"I reconciled with my family. I still don't let anybody call me Yifan, though..." Kris takes Tao's hand and places it on his cheek, caressing his skin against the younger's palm. "Maybe only you. Privately..."
"Wait... Yifan..."
"Hmn...?"
"...K-Kevin..."
"Don't worry about him."
Tao retracts his hand but Kris pulls the younger so that Tao is on top of him, "I knew you were coming to the wedding. He also knew that if I come here, there's a chance of us getting back together. I didn't think we'd end up on my bed though..."
"Am I the affair? Are you really a cheater now?"
Kris smiles and sits up with Tao on his lap, the younger's legs sprawled on the other's sides, "No. On both questions."
Tao raises an eyebrow and Kris runs his thumbs on the younger's cheeks, "We decided to end everything before I even flew out here. I haven't been completely honest with everyone because I'm scared too. I'm scared that my feelings for you is still too strong for me to control..."
Tao kisses Kris' cheek before staring at him, "Talk to me. I want to know what I've missed in two years."
"What do you want to know?"
"Everything you can tell me right now..."
Kris kisses Tao first before telling him to move on the bed. The older stands and picks up a pair of boxers and a shirt from his suitcase, "We need to put on some clothes or else I might attack you instead."
Tao chuckles and remains still on the bed, "You know I hate putting on clothes after sex."
Kris chuckles and throws one of his shirts to the younger, "Please, put something on."
Tao pouts and puts Kris' shirt on but does not button them properly, the older sits next to him and Tao immediately wraps himself around the older, "What happened to you?"
"I went back to Canada the soonest that I could to get away from you. I mean... who wants to see a stranger's shirt inside a bedroom you share with your fiancé?"
"You still haven't let me explain about that shirt..."
"Will you tell me now...?"
"Will your mind change if I do?"
Kris shakes his head and Tao stares at him, "He was walking home with me when torrents of rain came falling. I... I told him to sleep over because I was scared of the weather. We were wet and I lent him my shirt and washed his. He slept on the couch and not in our bedroom..."
"He brought you dinner, that means he's been in our place not just once."
Tao nods and sighs, "I... I hate eating alone. When our classes don't clash, he comes over to eat with me. I know I should have asked one of our friends but I just thought they have their own lives to worry about me..."
Kris nods and cups Tao's face with his hand, "You told everyone he said he liked you even when we were still engaged... Were you confessed to when you were out together?"
Tao looks down and mumbles a 'yes'.
"I see."
"And honestly, I was craving for someone's attention... Someone who adores me. You weren't there... You weren't exactly there even before you went to Canada..."
"Look at me."
Tao lifts his head apprehensively and stares at Kris, the older smiles at him and speaks, "I was a douche, in some way. I apologize for that, I guess I was really confident that you won't need somebody else. I thought if you knew that I was doing it for us, you'd love me even more. I thought that if I leave you alone for a while, you'll grow more mature... And I'm sorry. I was selfish in that way.... I never asked what you wanted."
Tao is crying again and Kris kisses his cheeks, "What would you have wanted...?"
"I wanted you to stay... I told you a thousand times to please stay..."
Kris shakes his head and removes Tao from him. He takes his phone from the pockets of his discarded coat and sits across Tao again, "I can't do that."
"Why not?"
"I needed a higher paycheck with less time away from home..." Kris stops browsing his phone and shows Tao a picture, "This is our beach house in Jeju, Tao."
Tao is speechless and stares at Kris. The older smiles and hands Tao his phone, "Look at it."
"Oh my god... Oh my god..." Tao starts to cry as he stares at the house. It's still a bit unfinished but it already feels like home to him. He doesn't stop crying as he gives Kris back his phone and the older gathers him in his arms, "Tao, you're hyperventilating..."
"If you told me, I wouldn't be jealous of your work then... I would have worked part-time to help..."
"And I would not want that. This was a surprise for you, and I was just planning on selling the finished house after I broke the engagement. Maybe the construction is prolonged due to the fact that I am not really over you."
Tao breathes faster and faster, Kris kisses the side of his face. "We can go there someday..."
Tao nods and wraps his arms around Kris, "Thank you..." The older hugs him closer and kisses the top of his head. He looks at the clock on the wall and it's almost 5 in the morning. "Get more rest. I'm gonna go get something from the café."
Tao shakes his head. "I'll go with you. I need some air."
"Alright." Kris smiles and they both get dressed properly. Kris watches as Tao snaps the dress shirt close. The older sits across Tao and stops him, Kris traces a finger on Tao's bare chest and hooks it on the chain on his neck, "Tao..."
"Yes?"
"Will you hold onto these rings for a while?"
Tao blinks at Kris and the older male kisses him, "I love you, but we have to take things slower this time, okay?"
"Okay." Tao smiles and hugs Kris, "Let's go. I'm hungry..."
Kris dresses himself properly and they walk out of the room only to find their friends in the hallway. Kris' eyes widen and he nudges Chanyeol lightly with his foot. The tall Korean grunts but opens an eye anyway and blinks blindly at Kris.
"What are you all doing here? Even Joonmyun?!"
Baekhyun wakes from his sleep and immediately grabs both their hands, "Fucking shit, man! I bet 100,000 won that both of you will be engaged again!"
"I win?! Holy shit! Jongdae! We are gonna have awesome food when we get back home!" Minseok exclaims loudly and the rest of their friends rouse from their sleep. Kris calms his breath and shakes his head, "After all these years, we're still betting?"
"Don't worry, you two. I made sure none of them follow you here until after the rehearsal. I made sure the rehearsal drags on and on." Joonmyun is smiling at Tao and Kris and the other two cant help but thank him endlessly.
Kris checks the time on his phone, "It's almost 5 in the morning and we all have a wedding to attend in a few hours. Get back to your rooms, guys."
"So, are you two dating again?" Jongin asks as he leans a sleeping Kyungsoo against him, Tao looks at Kris and the older just shrugs, "No. We're not yet dating. You're all keeping us from having a breakfast date, though."
Tao chuckles and Kris takes his hand, "Come on, everyone. I think we should all just eat breakfast together."
------
The wedding goes by perfectly, except that most of the groomsmen are lacking sleep, including the groom. For a moment, Joonmyun spaces out, and his best man, Yixing, had to step in and nudge him awake.
Tao sits on the back with Luhan, Jongdae, Kyungsoo, and Baekhyun. They're two rows away from where their partners are and Tao smiles when Kris looks at him with a smile once the bride and groom states their vows. Kris mouths the words, 'I love you,' and the younger does the same.
"You're back as the gross couple, just saying." Baekhyun nudges his side teasingly and the younger squeezes his arm lightly, "I haven't thanked you yet... Thank you, Baek... If you didn't do what you did, I don't think we'll reconcile."
"It's what best friends do. I hope you become happier."
"I will be."
They head to the reception and they're gathered into two tables. They have all eaten and they're all waiting for the bride and groom to arrive when Kris leans over and whispers, "I'm still gonna dance with her, okay?"
Tao glares sideways but breaks into a smile, "But you're an awkward dancer."
Kris chuckles and pinches Tao's nose, "I am not." Tao laughs and Kris pinches Tao's cheeks, "You have to thank the best man for his impromptu rehearsal this morning." Tao pouts and takes Kris' hand away from his face.
"Dance like you mean it." Tao smiles and places their intertwined hands under the table. Kris kisses his cheek and leans his forehead on Tao's shoulder, "I'm so exhausted."
"Two years worth of angry make-up sex can be a little exhausting, am I right?" Baekhyun grins at them playfully as he puts his chin on his palm and stares at them from across the table, "Oh, you two. What would happen to the both of you when I'm not around?"
"We won't have to deal with your dirty mouth, that's one." Kris tells him monotonously without lifting his head from Tao's shoulder.
"I love his dirty mouth." Chanyeol comments and Tao facepalms. "You love it because he sucks your dick with it." Kris tells them again without batting an eyelash.
"Kris!" Tao pushes Kris away from him and the older instinctively grabs Tao and locks him in an embrace, "I love yours, too."
There's a collective gasp and gagging sounds in their table, meanwhile Tao is beet red and Kris is laughing openly as he buries his head on Tao's shoulder, "I'm sorry. I just thought I'd tease you." Kris tells him and kisses his neck. Tao glares and huffs through his nose, "Not funny."
"Really? I thought it was."
Someone clears his throat from behind the couple and when they look up, the groomsmen are already gathered, "If you're done flirting, we're about to dance."
"Sorry, Yixing." Kris gives Tao's nose a hard pinch before standing and leaving their table. Tao is soothing the pain off his nose when he notices the rest of his friends staring at him, "What is it?"
"We're happy you're happy." Luhan tells him with a smile, "What's the plan? Are you moving to Canada with him? Is he gonna come back in Seoul?"
Tao shakes his head, "No idea. One day at a time, I guess. Yesterday, we got back together, today he's my date. Tomorrow is a new day, and we're taking things slow."
Jongdae smiles at him, "No more random midnight phone calls , okay?"
"I was drunk and it was our anniversary!"
"Yeah. And it's also the first time Minseok slept over."
Tao apologizes again and then Kyungsoo adds, "And no more boxes of cake." The older male shakes his head, "If we didn't bump into Jonghyun-hyung and asked us if we're throwing a party with all the cakes you ordered in his shop, you'd be dead by now."
Tao laughs openly and sighs, "Death by tons of cakes. I never felt so sick, I think I threw up all the contents of my stomach since childhood."
They all laugh and Tao shakes his head with the memory, "I was really pathetic, huh?"
"You were... ARE in love. I'd probably be worse if Chanyeol and I breaks up."
"You're stronger. If you were weaker, you wont survive everything until yesterday. Good job, maknae." Jongdae gives him a thumbs up and Tao nods, "You're right. Thank you, all of you."
Kyungsoo tells them to watch their boyfriends when the music finally starts and the 5 of them on the table laughs inwardly as the ladies still try to flirt with their partners, even the girl from yesterday.
"Minseok looks so serious." Jongdae comments and the four of them agrees. "Jongin looks like he's about to cry." Kyungsoo chuckles and Luhan points out at Sehun who's obviously dancing by the numbers and giggles, "This looks like their rite of passage. It's so funny."
"Chanyeol is keeping distance as if she's got STD, dear god." Baekhyun laughs and glares at his boyfriend so he'll dance better. "He looks so beautiful dancing like that. Not with that bitch, of course." Tao comments dreamily and the others are quick to agree.
"Yixing can get every one of those skanks later, obviously." Jongdae adds and Luhan raises an eyebrow, "Yixing is not that cheap."
They all laugh and watch as the music comes to an end, the dancers take a bow and clap their hands for the newlyweds.
The night goes on and on, Joonmyun looking like the happiest yet most awkward groom ever. His bride looks lovingly at him all the time and then the program comes to a near close and a few of them stay, most are dancing with their respective partners this time.
"What happens tomorrow?" Tao whispers as he dances with Kris, "I have a flight back to Incheon after lunch. Are you going back to Canada?"
"My flight's around yours."
"I see. We'll work it out, I guess?" Tao blinks at Kris and they stare at each other for a moment. The younger raises an eyebrow at the older male, "What is it?"
Kris leans down and kisses him lightly then stares at Tao again, "Come with me."
"What?"
"I'm serious. Fly with me to Vancouver."
Tao says nothing and just looks at the other male's eyes. He smiles after a brief silence and leans over to reach Kris' ears.
"I could go anywhere with you and I'd probably be happy."
Kris smiles and hugs Tao closer, "I promise you, you will be."
"Don't make promises, I already know that I will be."
"Let's get out of here."
-----
Tao wakes up at the break of dawn and walks out of the balcony. The view from the room is magnificent in the morning when the waves are calm and soothing. He takes in the morning air and watches the sky turn from grey to blue.
He feels warm arms wrap around him and Tao instinctively leans his head on his hugger's shoulder.
"Good morning, love."
"Good morning."
Kris pulls Tao closer and embraces him tighter, "Aren't you cold?"
"Never cold when you're around."
Kris kisses Tao's cheek and they bask in silence for as they wait for the sun to come up. The sun is barely peeking from the horizon when Kris' phone rings from inside the bedroom. Tao sighs with a smile when Kris removes himself from Tao and then returns with his phone in speaker.
"What is it, Princes Zhenzhen?" Kris asks when he answers the call.
'Dad! It's Sophia. Sophia!'
Tao chuckles as his daughter giggles from the other line, "Princess, it's barely 6 in the morning here, what's the rush?"
'I always forget the timezone! Anyway, our flight's been delayed until tomorrow. Clark and I are already in the airport. Freaking engine trouble.'
"That's alright. How are the kids ?" Kris asks as he wraps Tao in his arms again.
'They're here. Wait, let me get Winter and Summer!'
'Grand dad,! Grand papa! We miss you! Take us to the beach when we arrive okay?!!!'
"Of course. We'll take you to our favorite restaurant, too."
'We can't wait! See you!!! Mama said to hang up now, so bye-bye!'
The call ends and the couple laughs, "I made breakfast, shall we eat?" Kris asks as he releases Tao from his embrace.
Tao nods and takes another look at Jeju's morning horizon then takes Kris' hand in his.
"Hey, Yifan...?"
"Hmn?" The older turns to look at Tao. The other male smiles at him.
"Thank you."
Kris smiles and steps closer to the Tao. He lifts a hand and traces the wrinkles on his forehead then puts a stray gray hair behind Tao's ear, "Thank you, too. For everything. For our little forever."
Tao smiles and hugs Kris briefly before he steps back and looks at him with a smile, "Shall we go? I'm quite hungry."
Kris nods and leads Tao out of their bedroom, wrinkly fingers locked in a tight hold, silver rings glistening against the light of the morning sun.
-------------
Author' Notes: I am now closing this story, and what an adventure it was. When it all started with "Of Movie Clichés", I didn't even think it will have multiple chapters, let alone 2 other story arcs.
To all my readers, thank you. You were all wonderful and your comments make me happy. Thank you for sticking with me, and thank you for sticking with Tao and Yifan.
Until I update my other stories, see you then!