#exo Tao fanfic | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

kwanisms · 2 years ago

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Sweat for Me - h.zitao

soloist masterlist | next »»

➥ dom!Tao × sub!Reader

summary: while visiting a nightclub with your friends while on vacation in Shanghai, you meet a man who not only blows you away with his impeccable conversation but also his ability to listen to you.

Or the one where a man actually listens to you talk and you find that incredibly sexy, so you agree to go back to his hotel. Did I mention he's got a huge --

wc: 4.5k

warnings: adult dialogue, alcohol consumption, female reader, smaller reader, sexual content (18+ mdni), see smut warnings under the cut!

permanent taglist: @yoonguurt @wonderfulshinee @candidupped @dejavernon @violagoth @tigermoonbiss @katsukis1wife @luvsooby

exo taglist: @cixrosie

special tags: @stardragongalaxy @kpop-stories-21

join my taglists: permanent | group.

a/n: I'm only writing this cause @anyamaris has been torturing me with Tao for the last few days in the CoDn discord. So now she can suffer with me 🙃 also, I've never actually written for Tao before so pls be gentle with me. I was listening to Sweat by Zayn when this idea popped up so listen to that to get the vibe I was going for lol as always, this is a work of fiction and all characters are not reflective of their respective irl counterparts. for entertainment purposes only. banner made by me. I do not allow reposts or translations of my works. All my works are ©️ kwanisms.

smut warnings: oral (f receiving), unprotected sex (wrap it before you tap it!), mutiple orgasms (and reader passes out for like 10 seconds), dom!Tao, he's got a big dick, edging (f receiving), choking, spitting, dirty talk, praise, use of pet names (baby, sweetheart, princess, etc), creampie, slight daddy kink (but u gotta squint real hard), and I think that's all but let me know if I missed anything!

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How you ended up in this strange hotel room in the heart of Shanghai, you couldn't remember. At least not at first.

Initially, all you could remember of the previous night was the flashing lights of the club you'd visited with a few of your girlfriends, downing a few drinks and shots and dancing.

As you started to wake, memories came flooding back. Memories of a tall, handsome stranger joining you at the bar, buying you a few drinks, and asking you to leave with him. The same man who was lying tangled in the sheets next to you in what you assumed was his hotel room.

You groaned as the headache of what was surely the start of a hangover set in and lay there with your eyes closed as you tried to remember exactly what had happened last night.

"You look awfully lonely over here," a voice said suddenly, making you look up from your almost empty drink. A morning star and the only drink you ordered during this stretch of your trip.

Turning your head, you were met by a pair of dark brown eyes belonging to possibly the most handsome man you'd ever laid eyes on. You stared at him, longer than you intended, before finally speaking.

"Uh, sorry," you murmured, looking back down at the melting ice in your glass. The man smiled, amused by your reaction. "May I?" he asked, placing a hand on the back of the bar chair next to you.

You gestured towards the seat, silently telling him to have it.

He thanked you softly as he took a seat beside you, nodding at the bartender who quickly moved down the bar to take his order.

"I'll have a double whiskey, neat," he said, pulling a card from his wallet. You almost missed the way he turned to glance at you before looking back at the bartender.

"And a refill of whatever she's drinking."

You glanced up as the bartender nodded, taking the man's card to open a tab. You leaned forward to get a look at his face. "You don't have to do that," you said, aware of how annoyed you sound.

"I can pay for my own drinks."

The man smiled, not a smug smile, more of an amused yet kind smile before looking up to meet your gaze. "I'm sure you can but I'm also allowed to spend my money how I want, aren't I?" At this, he tilted his head, that same smile on his lips.

You nodded slowly and watched as he sat up straight, tapping his thumbs on the countertop to a beat only he seemed to be able to hear. After staring at him for a couple minutes, the bartender returned with the drinks, setting a short glass full of amber colored liquor before the man and a fresh glass in front of you.

You thanked the bartender, still staring at the man next to you as he raised his glass to take a sip of his drink. He chuckled to himself as he set his drink down. "You know," he started, turning his head to look you dead in the eye.

"Didn't your mother ever tell you that it's rude to stare?"

You felt the burn of embarrassment as you tore your gaze away, focusing instead on your drink. "Sorry," you murmured.

You took a sip of the fruity concoction, almost sighing as the coconut hit your palate. You were aware the man was still staring at you. 'Oh how the tables have turned.'

"So, do you follow your own advice or just tell others what to do?"

The man laughed, looking down at his drink. "You're right. I'm sorry," he apologized. "Very rude of me. I should practice what I preach." It was your turn to smile, biting back a laugh by taking another sip of your drink.

The two of you sat in a comfortable silence interrupted only by the music and deep bass of the club music. "So," you started, finally breaking the silence. "Do you have a name?"

The man smiled, leaning against the bar and turning his head to look at you. "I do," he said with a nod. You waited but he said nothing until he met your gaze.

"Oh, you wanted to know what it is?"

You narrowed your eyes at him. "I figured that would be obvious."

He chuckled again before offering his hand for you to shake. You took it hesitantly, glancing up to meet his gaze once more.

"Tao," he said, the same smile from before back. "You can call me Tao." You shook his hand before introducing yourself. "I'm Y/N."

Tao lifted his glass, taking another sip and setting it back down.

"It's nice to meet you, Y/N."

You didn't know what it was about Tao but talking to him seemed like the easiest thing in the world. While your friends were on the dance floor, drunkenly dancing with a few men your group had met a couple nights ago, you found yourself moving to an empty table to talk to Tao, telling him about your 3 month long vacation that was coming to an end.

Not only was he intriguing to listen to but he actually listened to you. He made a point of asking you lots of specific questions about the subjects you brought up.

It was not only refreshing to have someone actually listen to you, it was also incredibly attractive.

You were finishing up your third round of drinks when Tao seemingly made his move. He scooted closer, taking your drink and setting it on the table.

You were vaguely aware he was about to say something but you were distracted by his close proximity and the warmth radiating off his body.

"Look," he said softly. "I don't normally do this but I think you're incredible. Not only are you funny and adventurous but you're insanely gorgeous and I know I'd regret it if I didn't ask you if you'd like to leave with me."

Your heart hammered in your chest as he spoke, eyes darting between his eyes and his lips as he spoke. "If you don't, I won't be mad. I just know I need to shoot my shot before it's too late and-"

You cut him off with a quick kiss and pulled back, grinning triumphantly at the look of shock on his face. "I'd love to."

The ride from the club to his hotel was no more than 15 minutes but it felt longer as you could feel his eyes on you. It took everything in you not to straddle him in the back of the taxi.

That would have been embarrassing.

Instead, you were able to keep your composure until you reached his hotel room, waiting patiently as he unlocked the door with his keycard. Once inside, all grace and dignity were tossed aside as Tao grabbed you by the back of your neck, pulling you into a rough kiss.

You'd expected him to be a little timid at first, testing the waters but instead he dove right in. His lips moved against yours with fervor, devouring each moan and whimper as his hands expertly tugged at and removed your clothes, leaving you in your underwear.

Fingers skimmed over your skin as he guided you to the bed, sitting you on the edge before he shrugged his jacket off. Your back hit the mattress as Tao kissed slowly up the inside of your thigh.

Your head spun as he carefully and rather expertly removed your panties with his teeth. To say you were flabbergasted was an understatement. Tao merely smirked, letting the cobalt blue lace fall from his mouth and onto the carpeted floor.

You barely had time to register your lower half was completely bare before you felt his tongue lick a slow strip up your slit, finding your clit with deft precision. The moment he had a taste, his hands held your hips in place as he dug right in, licking, teasing, nipping at the sensitive bud.

Your cheeks burned at the obscene and lewd wet sounds that filled the room, audible only when you weren't moaning Tao's name and whimpering, begging him for more.

Your back arched off the sheets, a thin layer of sweat covering your skin as your orgasm ebbed away for what felt like the third time. Your eyes glistened with unshed tears of frustration as Tao pulled away, chin and lips coated in your essence.

You would have been annoyed had it not been for the fact that Tao was clearly an expert at what he was doing and not only that, he seemed to really enjoy it. If the groans and the way he seemingly lost himself in your taste was anything to go by.

You barely had time to catch your breath before you were being guided to scoot further onto the bed. Somewhere in the time between Tao letting your orgasm slip away to him hovering over you, he'd rid himself of his clothes.

Tattoos you never could have guessed he had covered both his biceps. You didn't have the chance to ask him about them as his lips met yours, tongue slipping past when you moaned, feeling the weight of his cock rest against your wet pussy.

Although you couldn't see it, judging by the weight, you guessed it was about as thick as your wrist, and you would be almost correct.

You whined impatiently as Tao made no effort to move, to enter you properly.

Instead he savored your reactions, trying to move your hips enough to find friction. Your weak attempts to entice him. Though you didn't need to. He was more than willing and able.

Without word or warning, he guided the head of his cock to your sopping entrance and slowly pushed into you. You sucked in a sharp breath, trying not to gasp as the girth slowly stretched your walls, threatening to split you open.

"Oh fuck," you whined. You felt one of Tao's hands grab the back of your thigh, pushing your leg against your stomach and allowing him to sink deeper, faster. You'd never felt anything so deep before.

You let out a shaky moan as he bottomed out and only then did he say anything. "Holy shit. You're so fucking tight," he groaned, head dropping as he lost himself in the feeling of your warm walls enveloping him.

"Tao please," you whined. You didn't have another chance to speak as he complied to your unasked request, pulling out partly and snapping his hips forward. You let out a mix between a gasp and a yelp, surprised by the sheer force.

"Shit, I'm sorry," he almost cooed. "You okay, baby"

The nickname had you melting under him with a moan.

"Y-yes," you whimpered.

Satisfied he hadn't hurt you, Tao set a steady pace, one hand keeping your thigh in place while the other disappeared under the pillow under your head, using his forearm to keep himself from collapsing onto you.

"Fuck, you feel so goddamn good," you heard him groan, hips slamming into you repeatedly, punctuating his next sentence.

"So. Fucking. Good."

Each thrust had you seeing stars, incoherent moans of his name and curses tumbling from your lips as your mind tried to keep up but the only thought occupying your brain was how good his cock felt and how big it was.

"So big," you managed to whimper. Tao chuckled lightly, breath fanning over your cheek as he lowered himself closer to whisper in your ear. "Yeah? You like how my big cock feels in your tight little pussy?"

If you weren't an incoherent mess before, you certainly were now.

"You like how it feels? You like being stuffed full?"

You nodded quickly, unable to answer him. "Oh, such a good little girl, aren't you?" You cried out as he gave you a particularly harsh thrust.

"Taking all of it, just like good girls do," he continued, not missing the way your cunt convulsed around his cock. You were so easy for him to read. Like an open book.

Letting go of your thigh, his hand moved, fingers closing around your throat lightly. The simple action had your already cloudy brain emptying completely as you let yourself succumb to the first wave of your orgasm.

An intense pleasure, unlike any you'd ever felt before crashed over you, stars blinding your vision, heat spreading from your core throughout your body and down into your fingers and toes as they curled in pure ecstasy. Wanton moans and a slew of curses left your lips, Tao's name thrown into the mix.

Unaware Tao was watching you with a deep fascination, you let out a desperate whine, thighs encasing his waist as he helped you ride out your high. "That's it sweetheart," he all but whispered, his pace not slowing for a second.

"That's my good girl."

Your heart pounded in your chest, stomach doing flips at his subtle praise. "You're doing so well," you heard him say, his voice sounding so distant. Like he was far away.

As the aftershocks of your climax subsided and you started to focus on your surroundings, you felt Tao's hand on your neck move, gently cupping your cheek, thumb stroking your skin. "Hey," he whispered. You blinked a couple times as his face came into focus.

"There you are," he said with a chuckle. "Lost you for a second."

"W-what happened?"

"You must have passed out," he answered, looking mildly concerned. "Are you okay?"

You nodded, blinking as you looked around. "How long was I out?"

"Not long," he replied. "A good ten seconds though." At this, he smirked, looking particularly smug. "What?" you whined.

"Dick so good it'll make you pass out?" he asked. "Maybe I should add that to my portfolio." You rolled your eyes, ignoring his snickers. You tried to sit up but realized you weren't quite done.

"Are you still inside me?" you asked incredulously, making Tao laugh again. "You were only out for ten seconds at most, sugar," he answered. "Do you want to stop?" he asked, suddenly serious.

You shook your head quickly. Tao leaned in, pressing a chaste kiss to your lips. "Then lay back down," he ordered. You did as he instructed, whimpering once as he gave you a couple of cautious thrusts before throwing himself back into it.

"Ah, shit!" you cursed, grabbing his forearm, worrying your bottom lip between your teeth. Tao took your chin firmly in his hand, leaning over you. "Open," he instructed. You hesitated, unsure of what he was going to do. "Open your mouth."

You did as he demanded, parting your lips. Tao leaned over further, spitting into your mouth before taking you into a searing kiss. Your walls clenched around him as your second climax approached rapidly.

Another deep thrust had you tumbling over the edge as you came a second time, a cry of Tao's name leaving your mouth.

As he helped you ride out your second orgasm, Tao's hips stuttered, his own orgasm impending. "Oh fuck," he groaned. "M'gonna cum."

"Do it," you mewled. "Cum inside me." Tao let out a breathy laugh. "Is that what you want, princess? Want me to cum inside this pretty little pussy and make it mine?"

You moaned in response, back arching of the bed.

"Is that what you want, baby?"

You weren't sure what drove you to say it but your response had an immediately profound reaction on him.

"Y-yes daddy!"

Tao dropped his head again, letting out an almost animalistic growl as his hips rammed against yours, pounding into you with renewed vigor. Each thrust had you nearly screaming.

Not wanting to risk complaining neighbors, Tao covered your mouth, muffling your cries. "Almost there, baby girl, almost there."

He offered hushed words of encouragement until the fluttering of your walls around his cock pushed Tao over the edge and he came with a low, husky moan, riding out his orgasm until his hips finally came to a halt as he stilled inside your cunt that was now full of not only his cock but also his cum.

Coming down from your respective highs, Tao was finally able to pull out of you and fall onto the bed beside you. You were well aware of his release spilling out of your abused hole but were far too tired to do anything about it.

Tao however did not hesitate to get up, grabbing his boxers from the floor as he disappeared into the bathroom only to return moments later with a wet warm washcloth. You started to drift off as he carefully wiped your skin clean until you felt him get off the bed and pad away.

Moments later, you felt the bed dip as he returned. The sheets rustled as he untucked them, pulling them back and carefully helping you under them.

The last thing you remembered was him turning the bedside lamp off before wrapping an arm around your waist and pulling you close and then it all went black.

Sitting up in a now illuminated hotel room, you were able to catch a glimpse of Tao, sleeping peacefully beside you. His hair was tousled, face half buried into his pillow. The covers were bunched up about halfway down his back, allowing you to see the tattoos that covered his biceps again in the light.

Deciding the best course of action was to gather your things, you slowly untangled yourself from the sheets and was about to scoot to the edge of the bed when a voice rang out. Albeit, a very sleepy one.

"Just where do you think you're going, little one?"

You turned to find Tao was not asleep and was now looking at you with his only visible eye. You knew you'd been busted but decided to play it off. "I thought I'd take a shower," you answered.

Tao raised his head to look at you properly. "Really?"

You nodded, looking down at him. He shrugged and rolled onto his back, reaching to grab his phone and check the time. "I'll call for breakfast," he announced as you got up from the bed and hurried into the bathroom.

Deciding a shower might actually be a good idea, you did just that, standing under the scalding water as you shampooed and conditioned your hair, scrubbed your body and washed away the remnants of last night's makeup.

Once you finished and got out, you were checking your appearance in the bathroom mirror when the door opened and Tao poked his head in. "Breakfast is here," he said before he opened the door further. "And I got you this."

In his hand he held a fluffy white robe. You took it, thanking him and he shut the door behind him, leaving you to change out of the towel and into the robe to save your dignity.

In the room, he'd already donned some sweatpants and a plain black tee and was looking over the food that had been delivered.

You hadn't gotten a good look at the room the previous night but could now make out that it was a king suite with an incredible view of downtown Shanghai. You were probably on the 30th floor at least. Tao had just finished setting the small table by the window when you entered the room.

He glanced up and gave you a grin. "I wasn't sure what you like so I got a bit of everything," he explained as you walked over.

"That's really nice of you. Thank you." You moved to sit across from him and quickly helped you with your chair. "It's the least I could do." He gave you another smile as he sat across from you. The two of you ate in relative silence until you came to your senses.

"Oh my god," you exclaimed, making Tao jump in surprise at your sudden outburst. "My friends are gonna kill me!" Tao swallowed his food before speaking. "Hey, calm down it's okay-"

"No it's not! They have no idea where I am! Or if I'm even alive!"

You got up quickly and started to search around the room. Tao watched from his seat at the table. "What are you looking for?" he asked. "My phone!" you exclaimed as you continued to search.

"It's plugged in on your side of the bed, will you please come back to breakfast?"

Tao didn't sound annoyed, just reassuring you that it was all okay.

"I need to call them."

Tao swallowed another bite of food before responding. "They already called."

You rounded on him. "What?"

He nodded, assuring you it was the truth. "They called earlier. I answered and let them know you were perfectly safe and sound and that you were sleeping," he explained. "I sent them a photo of you asleep, sorry for that, and then explained where we were and what happened."

Your heart sank. "Did you tell them… everything?"

Tao smiled again, getting up and crossing the room to your side. "No, not everything. Just the basics. I'm sure they filled in the blanks themselves," he said as he gently took your phone from your hands and set it back down before taking your hand and leading you back to the table.

The two of you continued to eat until Tao spoke up.

"I know this might be a little forward," he started, capturing your attention. "But I was wondering if you might indulge me."

You set your utensils down, offering him your undivided attention.

"I told you last night that I don't normally hook up with anyone. At least, not someone I met in a nightclub," he continued, glancing up at you and meeting your gaze. "But you? You're different."

You tilted your head to the side, giving him a puzzled look.

"Different how?"

Tao leaned forward, resting his chin in his palm as he studied you.

"You're so different from anyone I've ever talked to. I've never met someone like you," he answered. "I was wondering," he hesitated before shaking his head. "No, I was hoping that you might consider staying in Shanghai for just a bit longer."

Your eyes widened as the implications of his words set in.

'Stay in Shanghai?'

"I'm not sure I could afford that," you said softly, pulling your bottom lip between your teeth. Tao's smile didn't diminish. "You wouldn't have to spend anything," he replied. "I was thinking you could keep me company."

"K-keep you company?" Now you were properly confused. Tao nodded. "Yeah. You know how in Pretty Woman, the guy asks her to spend the week with him and pays her a lot of money to pretend to be his girlfriend while he's on business?"

You nodded slowly. "Well, the only differences are that I'm not paying you to sleep with me or be my girlfriend," he explained so nonchalantly. "I just want to spend some time with you. If you aren't comfortable sharing a hotel room with me, I can put you up in your own room."

You looked at his face, looking for any sign of deceit or dishonesty but found only curiosity looking back at you. "Can I think about it?" you finally asked.

Tao smiled and got up, crossing around the table to where you sat. He combed his fingers through your hair before gently taking your chin in his hand, tilting your head back to look up.

"I'm going to take a shower. So think about it while I'm gone. If you want to stay, I'll send someone to pick up your belongings from wherever you're staying. If not, I'll take you back myself."

Before you had a chance to respond, Tao pressed a short kiss to your lips and quickly crossed the suite to the bathroom.

While he was gone, you cleaned up the table and returned to the bed, flipping on the television set while the shower turned on. You scrolled through the channels, finally settling on some soap opera. While watching, you went through your phone and saw that Tao had indeed explained through text to your friends where you were as well as including a picture and a short clip of you sleeping.

You decided to check in with your friends, to let them know you were alright. Their responses ranged from angry to relieved.

Bai🪷: omg I'm so glad ur okay 😭

Gwen🕷🕸: omg ur so stupid Y/N! How could you leave with some strange man!?

You: correct me if I'm wrong but did you leave with a strange man in Taiwan? 🤔

Gwen🕷🕸: yeah and he was a total weirdo! Have we learned nothing?!

Bai🪷: only that ur taste in men is trash. Next

You: thank you Bai!

Gwen🕷🕸: I'm being attacked help

Bai🪷: drama queen 🙄

Gwen🕷🕸: hey! U take that back

You: ANYWAY. I'm fine. Tao is not some weirdo. He's staying in this really fancy hotel. We're on like the 30th floor in some penthouse suite or some shit. it's really boujie

Bai🪷: y/n always finds the rich ones 😔

Gwen🕷🕸: did someone say sugar daddy??? 👀🤑

You: I'll pretend I didn't see that

Bai🪷: so when r u coming back?

You: uh… that's the thing.

Gwen🕷🕸: oh no. No. Not doing this. Get back here missy. We have to leave in three days!

Bai🪷: let her speak Gwen

You: thanks Bai

You: anyway. He's asked me to stay with him for a bit.

Bai🪷: whoa seriously?

You: yeah! He's even offered to put me up in a second room

You: he said he wants to spend some time with me

You heard the shower cut off and the curtain rustle as Tao no doubt got out of the shower. Going back to your messages you read the latest in the thread.

Gwen🕷🕸: does anyone else not see the serial killer potential here?

Bai🪷: no. Just u You: no only u

Gwen🕷🕸: boo. democracy sux

Bai🪷: so do you think you're gonna do it?

Bai🪷: wait a sec. First of all, do you even want to?

You: I think so. I wouldn't say no to more time in Shanghai

You: idk should I do it?

Gwen🕷🕸: I vote no.

Bai🪷: I vote yes!

Gwen🕷🕸: of course you would 😒

Bai🪷: and exactly what does THAT mean miss I'm-going-to-this-strange-man-I-met-in-Taiwan's house without anyone else around?

Gwen🕷🕸: stop making me look bad! I still vote no!

Bai🪷: and I still vote yes

Gwen🕷🕸: 😡

Bai🪷: so it looks like the final decisions up to you, y/n

Before you could respond, the bathroom door opened and Tao appeared in the same clothes he'd worn into the bathroom. He had a towel in his hand and was currently drying his hair. He made eye contact with you as you set your phone on the bedside table and smiled, walking over and sitting on the edge of the bed.

"I think drying my hair is my least favorite part of showering," he said with a chuckle. You smiled in return and waited for him to speak.

"So, have you had time to think about my offer?"

You nodded, pulling your bottom lip between your teeth as you studied Tao's body language. He nodded carefully before looking back up, meeting your gaze.

"So, what's your answer going to be?"

#ztao scenarios #ztao imagines #ztao fanfiction #ztao fanfic #ztao smut #ztao x reader #tao scenarios #tao imagines #tao fanfiction #tao fanfic #tao smut #tao x reader #exo scenarios #exo imagines #exo smut #exo x reader #exo ot11

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dragonowl · 5 months ago

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Pathcode: Light Through a Broken Lens

The Sky That Doesn't End: Part 2 Masterlist Genre: EXO AU, Mystery Rated: PG Summery: Exo has scattered. Now in hiding after the Red Force closed in on them and Luhan went missing. Baekhyun finds himself in a small town while he waits until they can reunite again. Guarded after everything that has taken place, he’s not looking for friendship, or anything else, until a light shines through, even as the darkness closes around them.

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Chapter 2: Tao: Barcelona, Spain, 10:09

Voices. Whispers and quiet conversations mixed easily with the sound of the buzzing machinery and soft piano music. The scent of roasting beans and brewing coffee was rich and wafted around Tao like a warm hug, reminding him of the early school mornings and Xiumin’s passion for fine coffee. He’d nearly chosen the traditional hot chocolate and churros for breakfast, but the homesickness that hit him after smelling the coffee had changed his mind.

Bringing the warm glass to his lips, he paused and then quickly placed it down as he lifted up the morning’s paper. A small section near the base of the newspaper’s front page caught his attention and he quickly flipped through the pages to find the full article.

His heart stuttered as he processed the words that made him feel sick. A light flickered and his eyes shot up just as a bulb shattered. He brought the newspaper up to protect himself from the flying debris as he flinched at the noise, but the debris never hit. The cafe went silent instead of beginning to clammer at the danger, and he looked around to find the cause.

His breath caught when he realized he’d frozen time without even realizing it.

The hold he had was wavering though and he knew he needed to get out. The Red Force had found a way to track them down and using his powers would likely narrow down their search parameters if they had the right tech. Chen hadn’t been able to determine how they had been found, but he and Suho had cautioned against using their powers in case that had been the cause.

He rushed out of the cafe in a daze, trying to ground himself enough to find his way back to the small room he was staying in. After what felt like forever he made his way back and stumbled multiple times as he ran up the flight of stairs and through the door, gaze darting around to keep an eye on his surroundings.

Once inside he rushed to grab his bags and throw in any essentials he had left lying around. He tried to make a mental list as he double and triple-checked everything. Unable to handle being there any longer, he prayed he had everything that couldn’t be replaced. He’d need to go by the public locker and grab a different ID and some money, and then maybe take a train to another city to fly out of. Deciding on his next location in the moment would hopefully throw off any tail he might have. Something completely random.

Slinging his bags over his shoulders, he exited the small space and quickly made his way down the stairs and outside to the sidewalk.

Someone collided with him, his fast pace and height making him completely miss their presence.

“I’m sorry,” he stumbled, arm encircling the young woman to keep her from falling.

“It’s okay,” she said, her hands fully grabbing his arms to steady herself. “You should pay more attention to your surroundings though. You could get hurt.”

A chill washed over him at her words and he tried to see her face, but she had kept her head bowed. She let go of one of his arms and grabbed the other tightly before he could move and he winced when there was a sudden prick, immediately followed by what felt like fire in his veins. Stumbling back, he found a purchase against the brick wall and dropped his bags as his head erupted in pain, making him drop to his knees. He cradled his head in his hands as the pain drowned out his other senses and his breathing became labored. It ended as quickly as it started and he slumped against the wall, his arms falling to his sides in exhaustion. Tao blinked at the young woman standing over him, but his eyes were too blurry to make out her features and drooped closed as he fell into unconsciousness.

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#exo #exo fanfic #tao #z.tao #Pathcode #light through a broken lens #the sky that doesn’t end series #dragonowl #dragonowl fics

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xotaemintol · 2 years ago

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⚠︎MDNI⚠︎

X Black reader EXO imagines and more

☼JONGIN☼

♡FIC PREVIEWS

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♡FICS

→TaeKai x fem black reader: A Private show part 1

♡ONE SHOTS

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♡HEAD CANONS

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♡ANONS

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☼BAEKHYUN☼

♡FIC PREVIEWS

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♡FICS

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♡ONE SHOTS

→Sub!Baekhyun x (fem) reader: Subby September (smut, word count: 568)

♡HEAD CANONS

→Nothing yet

♡ANONS

→Baekhyun x (fem) Reader ANON ask: Newly Weds (fluff word count: 1871)

→Baekhyunx reader: Teasing bf Baekhyun and Shy reader anon ask (fluff/suggestive)

☼KYUNGSOO☼

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→Kyungsoo x (fem) Reader (Anon ask/smut/word count:371)

☼SUHO☼

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☼SEHUN☼

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☼CHEN☼

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☼CHANYEOL☼

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☼XIUMIN☼

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☼LAY☼

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☼LUHAN☼

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☼TAO☼

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joh-ahae · 2 years ago

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An old drawing of An old love - Panda Tao

#did this while i was super into writing an ot12 fanfic #and tao unintentionally had main character energy #Zitao #Tao #Exo #Ot12 #Panda tao #art #kpop #kpop art #exo art #tao art #sketch #panda #digital art #huang zitao

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smtown-tourist-juliette · 1 month ago

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Juliette Chapter 41 Cover:

Hana has finally returned from Hiatus and just in time, too, for SMTown's finale concert. It's great to be back but why is it that Sulli is acting strangely? Is something wrong with her friend? As Hana tries to help Sulli, she is met with the rude awakening that not all of her friends appreciate her desire to help them through their personal problems.

It's been well over a year since JJ Project made their debute, and while debuting has helped Junior break into the acting world, there have been no mentions of JJ Project making a comeback. Junior and JB are positive that this means JJ Project will be disbanding, especially after JYP calls them into his office. Will this be the end for JJ Project? If so, why is there a young, handsome stranger attending their meeting as well?

Halloween is Hana's least favorite holiday, so she's not exactly thrilled to hear that SM is throwing their first ever Halloween Extravaganza and SHINee will be attending it while wearing Halloween costumes. As if things couldn't get any worse, the party guests keep asking Hana how she is feeling. Hana doesn't want anyone to know that she's been in a funk lately, but after snapping at Chen, she confides in him and Chen decides that Hana needs a distraction, something to help lift her spirits. What plan does Chen come up with and why does it involve both SHINee and EXO? What could these two groups be up to on this Halloween night?

Find out in Chapter 41, Until the Day it Becomes a Pumpkin. Head on over to Asianfanfics to check it out!

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yourdreamsyourwish-2 · 2 years ago

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So, I used to do weekly updates to let everyone know where I’m at, and since I also like polls I decided to do weekly polls/updates on what I’m working on.

I'm hoping to make it every Monday night for it to come out on Tuesday Mornings!

Requests status: OPEN For both Reactions & Scenarios

Things Coming this Week:

As of right now, Nothing is set in the Queue. I am still working on things. I haven't had the time to write anything but I hopefully will get back into the swing of things ASAP.

Working On:

Reactions: Working on Reactions 13-25. In the Meantime you can find the Masterlist here.

Scenarios: I have 18 (2 for each member) in the planning phases as of this moment. In the meantime you can find the Masterlist Here. [These will usually be either One Shots or 1-3 parts]

Universes: My Multiple Chapter Stories. The Main reason I came back to writing EXO Fanfic. These will not be Member x Reader. For these I either write in 3rd Person with OC characters or First Person. Also all the Member OC pairs will stay the same through out each series.

Currently Working on...

Rewriting an old Minseok Werewolf -> Basic Plot is done. Maybe between 5-15 Parts, won't be higher than 25.

On: Chapter One

Phase: First Draft

Exodus College -> Based on Romance Trope; each Member gets one. [Each member will have 10-15 chapters each plus an epilogue]

On: Series Planning

Phase: Planning

Exceptional Love Series -> Sci-fi fantasy based on EXO Lore; This is 9 different stories that build to a second phase of the story that I am planning on being 25-50 Chapters Minimally [This is also a rewriting a pervious work I had done before as well; All members will have 5 Chapters each. All basic plot outlines for phase I are done.]

First Story will be Light [Baekhyun - 5 Chapters]

On: Chapter 1

Phase: Editing

Fae Inspired -> (I made a World map...) This will be similar to Exceptional Love with each member getting their own story but unsure if I will do a Part II, with a bigger story. [if I do, it' won't be that big]

Phase: Planning [had to finish the map first ]

Other works from my old account I'm thinking of rewriting and working out: Greek God Series & EXODUS City (A Mafia theme)

Okay that's a lot of information, but I do want to hear back from you guys! Which Universe are you the most excited about!

Also for those who don't know, I do not include Tao, Luhan & Kris in any of my writings of one shots/reactions. If I do, it's in the past tense, and I usually have them die in the prologue or before the stories begin in my universes if and only if it makes sense for the plot overall. I have chosen to include only current EXO members. Yixing to me will always be EXO Member, he has made it clear how much the band has meant to him over the years. Even if he eventually leaves, I will probably include him in the future as well. If you don't like that well then...Thank you for stopping by!

#EXO #exo fanfic #EXO Fanfic poll #EXO Reactions #exo scenarios #EXO Unvierses

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exo-k-m-reactions-blog · 3 years ago

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EXO Reaction - Their S/O Has To Go Back To Their Home Country Because A Family Member Is Sick

Post Date: 26th June 2022

Hey! Thanks for the request and I hope you like it! <3

______________________________________________________________

Xiumin - *He’d just want the best for your family, offering to do anything that he could to help them and all*

Lay - *He’d just want to know you’re safe when you start your journey and have updates on your family member’s recovery if they have one at all*

Kai - *He’d be worried about your journey as you’d be alone but he’d want to make sure you’re okay and wish the best for the family member to get better*

Suho - *He’d be so understanding, literally being and doing anything and everthing you needed for this trip, wishing the best for your family member*

Kyungsoo - *He’d ask no questions, making you had everything you needed and would give you something to give to your family member*

Tao - *He’d get all dramatic acting like he was even more sick but he’d give up when he knew he had no choice*

Chen - *He’d get super clingy, not wanting to be days without you but would ask to be kept updated with you and the family member at least once a day*

Chanyeol - *He’d be worried about you as he won’t be able to be there with you just to make sure you’re okay if the family member is a lot more sick*

Baekhyun - *He’d tease that you could just bring your family member to you but he’d understand, paying for any flights you’d have to take*

Sehun - *He’d get a little cuddly and clingy just because he knows he won’t see you for a while, but would understand*

Luhan - *He’d be so understanding, giving you anything and everything that you need to go back, sending his love back too*

Mobile Masterlist (Reactions) Mobile Masterlist (Scenarios)

#exo #exo blog #exo reactions #exo scenarios #exo stuff #exo fanfic #luhan #sehun #baekhyun #chanyeol #chen #tao #kyungsoo #suho #kai #lay #xiumin

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writeformesinpie · 4 years ago

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Zombies And Ice Cream

Tao x Fem!Reader

Word Count - 7.6k

Genre - Crack/Romance

Summary -

You and Tao are in the middle of an argument when an unexpected guest arrives. Will you both survive the uninvited pest? Is this the end of your relationship? And will Tao ever get his ice cream?

Warnings -

Suggestive / implied sexual content, swearing, violence, death and violence (non-major character)

A/N -

This fanfic is inspired by a similar scene in Shaun Of The Dead.

It is apart of the EXO collab The Undead run by @biaswreckingfics. Please check out the Masterlist and the other writers of this collab!

KPOP Masterlist

There they sit all in a row, polished and protected from the elements inside their glass encasings. A collector's dream. Perfect for daddy. Never aging. Never changing. Their creepy eyes unwavering.

Tao’s beloved BearBrick Babies will live forever if cared for correctly unlike your delicate flowers which last less than a season. Their frailty is the draw for you. Unlike these obnoxious toys that he can’t seem to get enough of them, flowers are alive.

Turning to look back outside the window, rage brews as you stare out the window, the obnoxious teal muscle car blocking the view of the garden you spent weeks planting. Is it too much to ask for this one small thing? It took painstaking effort to arrange the perfect garden. You had even done it with inferior tools. After planting your beautiful flowers, you had thrown the disastrous gardening supplies out in last week's trash. The new ones will be arriving any day now. Tools that are sure to make you feel as pretty as the flowers you plant.

The sun room is a place where you’re meant to be able to escape and you can’t even have that. The anger crescendos into a squeal of frustration as you realise the angle of the car suggests the flowers you placed into the ground just yesterday have been run over and are currently shredded under the flashy tires of the eyesore Tao decided to buy on a whim. He might as well smash all your fine china as well, just destroy everything you love.

The floorboards squeak above as the plant killer himself makes his way from the bedroom down the stairs. Each step creaks from wear and tear, a reminder of another thing that needs to be fixed. Of course, instead of coughing up the money for house maintenance, Tao decided to buy a ferrari.

“Why are you carrying on so early? I was trying to sleep.”

If this were a cartoon, there would be flames rising from your exaggerated, beetroot-stained face as you turn to address the oblivious man. He didn’t even bother to get dressed, adorned in his Dragon Ball Z socks and the boxer briefs he found online with his face (his own face!) on them, a toothy grin spreading across his manhood. And of course he had to ask you to suck him off that one time while he was wearing them. You'll never forget that horrific moment no matter how deep you hide it in the back of your mind. Just one of the many ridiculous experiences Tao decided he couldn’t live without trying.

Looking at him, you're surprised by the tousled hair and dark rings. He had gone to bed early last night after throwing a fit about you eating the last Cornetto. Carmel. It was delicious and you’re glad you ate it.

“The flowers.” The words are soft as you hold back your fury, you don’t want to start another fight. Not on the first work-free day you’ve had together in over three months.

“What flowers? I don’t see any flowers.”

“You don’t see the flowers because your nasty vehicle destroyed them,” you say, your fists tight balls. “I thought we agreed to park in the garage, which is why we bought the damn thing.”

The clench of his jaw signals the beginning of an argument. He’s stubborn and even though he knows what he’s done is wrong, you’re willing to bet he’s about to push back, probably bring up something he feels you’ve done to justify his mistake.

“It’s a bit hard to fit in the garage when you practically double park. You shouldn’t be allowed out on the road with the way you drive.”

Bingo. He knows how much you hate to drive. It’s something you avoid whenever possible. The idea that other people's lives are in your hands every time you get behind the vehicle is enough to keep you from enjoying it. Walking is just easier. If it’s somewhere close, like say your mother's house, it’s easier to just walk.

“Well at least I didn’t buy some ridiculously overpriced pussy magnet.”

“Pussy magnet?”

“Pussy magnet!”

“How is that-”

“We all know the only reason you bought it is so you can soak in all the heart-eyed girls from work. And your incel friends that think of you as their God,” you say, your voice pitching up as he tries to interrupt. “Pride is a sin, baby. It’s such a male ego move and you must know that as they praise you, they’re all thinking about what it is you're overcompensating for.” As you finish you hold up your pinky and wiggle it around.

“Fuck off. I don’t have a small dick.”

“I know that but they don’t,” you say with a shrug. You're sick of his constant need for validation.

“God, you’re a vindictive harpy. Why are you such a bitch in the morning?”

“Why do you care so much? Because you know I’m right.”

“You sound like your mother.”

“Fuck you.”

“Two harpies living in the same city is bad enough as it is and then she just had to go and move in just two blocks from us. She just had to, didn't she? Like a leech she follows you wherever you go and it’s me who’s always stuck dealing with her.”

“Like you can talk! You think your mother is a saint?”

“Don’t bring up my mother!”

“Then don’t bring up mine!”

“I can’t keep living like this. Every day I want to wrap my hands around your pretty little neck and snap it like a twig,” he says, venom dripping from his lips as his eyes bore into yours.

“Go ahead then. Snap my pretty little neck,” you say, jutting out your chin in an act of defiance. He would never touch you, not like that. Tao may be a lot of things but he has never hurt you and you know he never will.

“I’m going for a drive,” he says, turning towards the door but stopping in front of the window.

“Just go then.” What is he waiting for?

“There’s a girl in the garden.”

“Oh? Go on, then. If you think you can do better. Run off with your new girl.”

“No, there’s really a girl out there. Look.”

At first you think he’s talking about his car until you see her too. Her strawberry blonde curls fall across her slack, ashen face as she wobbles back and forth behind the teal car. “What the fuck? Is she drunk?”

Tao taps his knuckles against the window, swearing under his breath when she ignores him before using sweeping gestures with his arms to get her attention. It works. Her eyes roll to the back of her head as her head lolls to the side. She starts to shuffle forward, her white slippers with Sheraton written across the side kicking up dirt as she walks towards the window. She must have walked over from the hotel - it’s only a five minute walk from here. She must have gotten turned around in her intoxicated stupor.

As she gets closer you can see her dirt-crusted elbows and knees and a strange red smudge across her nose and her left cheek. Even with the blemish she is practically perfect. No makeup but under the white robe is a black lace lingerie one piece that pushes her up in all the right places, making her look like a Barbie doll. Frowning, you tug at your shirt, pushing your breasts up and wiggling them back and forth. They don’t compare to her and you look over at Tao with a glare. Of course he’s looking at her. Pig.

“She’s pissed!” Tao laughs before shaking his head, walking in the direction of the door. “Don’t worry, I’ll go and chase her out.”

“I’m not worried but Tao...”

“What now? I thought I was doing you a favour here.”

“You’re in your underwear.”

“Yeah? Well maybe our new friend shouldn’t have gotten shitfaced last night,” he says with a stubborn flick of the brow before opening the front door and walking out of view. You dig into your purse hanging off a hook in the hallway, apply some lipstick then follow.

“Excuse me but I need you to get off my property.”

“Our property.”

“For fucks sake,” Tao says, looking over his shoulder at you from the walkway connecting your door to the driveway before glancing back at the girl standing by the window. She turns back towards him with staggered steps, one of her Sheraton slippers lost in the grass, forgotten behind her as she makes her way over to Tao. “We’re just trying to have a quiet morning and I can’t do that with some rando in the garden.”

“Technically it’s just the lawn.”

“I swear to God, woman.”

“Well it is. The garden is the area your ridiculous little car is currently parked in,” you say with a shrug as the drunk girl gets closer, her eyes locked in on Tao as he turns around to you.

“Is this really the time? Why are you always on my dick? I am-” Right as he steps towards you, the drunk swipes at the air behind him, a soft gurgling sound erupting from her small frame. “Holy shit, lady.”

“She’s smashed!” you laugh, starting to walk down the path to the pair, adjusting your hair as you walk.

“Looks like you had a great night,” Tao says with a chuckle, shaking his head. “Whoa, whoa hands to yourself there.”

“Oh, another one of your fangirls?”

He’s gorgeous. People flock to his sexy aura but this is getting ridiculous. You have to be worried about these desperate freaks coming to your home now? This one is half naked and practically throwing herself at him, her hands grabbing at his naked skin.

“Very funny,” he says while trying to push the lush off, her hands caressing him as she starts to bite the air right by his face. He stumbles and they both fall to the ground.

“Oh wow, looks like she’s got the hots for you.” This wanton slut. “I mean, don’t let me stop you, just pretend I’m not here, I guess.”

“She is attacking me,” Tao says, his voice starting to lose its lighthearted edge as his muscles tense to keep her in place.

“And with our relationship already on the rocks.” You bend down to take a selfie with the pair on your phone. “Proof for the lawyers.”

“She’s bloody strong! Help me get her off,” Tao sputters, avoiding her gnashing teeth.

“I can’t help but think this is exactly what you deserve,” you say but after seeing his wide eyes and pressed lips, you grab her arm, pulling her back. Tao rolls out from under her and you let her fall face first to the ground. No guilt; she shouldn’t have gotten blackout drunk, she shouldn’t be on your property and she shouldn’t be touching your Tao.

She moans in pain on the ground, trying to get back up. Well, maybe a little guilt. She does have such a pretty face.

“Ma’am, we need you to leave now. You’ve had your fun. Now this is getting old,” you say as she gets back up to her feet, no more Sheraton slippers. “Just go home and sleep it off.”

There are grass stains on her white shirt. Her feet are bare as she hoists each leg one after the other in peculiar, jagged movements, each grueling step bringing her staggering towards you.

Stepping back, you look over to Tao who shrugs. “Just call the police.”

You pull out your phone and start to dial as he looks around the yard for supplies. He jogs over to the side of the house. The girl turns to watch him, her whole body jerking in his direction before turning back to you. The sounds of Tao ransacking the shed drift to the background as the polite message from the emergency line tells you ‘all lines are currently busy’. Too bad if this was a real emergency. What is this city coming to?

“Shit,” you say, the phone slipping from your fingers and crashing to the cold concrete below. Shattered. Fuck.

When you stand up, smashed phone in hand, the drunk girl is disturbingly close. Her stale breath is warm against your face and her dirty hands push roughly against your shoulders. Her teeth are tinged pink inside her wide mouth and smelling of rancid meat. You can’t help yourself - you scream out for Tao.

Her fingertips cling for a moment before being ripped from your shoulders. The girl flings back a few feet where she then stumbles and falls. Tao is holding a large rake in front of him, both hands holding the wooden handle, the metal tines edging threateningly towards her. As she starts to get back up, you wonder why she’s doing this, why she won’t just leave.

“Get back woman, I mean it.” Tao jabs the rake a few times towards her but it doesn’t deter her.

“I doubt a rake is going to scare her.”

“It’s the only thing in the damn shed worth anything. There is so much junk in there, do you ever clean it out?”

“I guess I’ll add it to my list of things to do,” you say as you both back up a little towards the wall as she approaches painstakingly slow. “I ordered new tools. I was going to try and tidy it up then.”

“I’m warning you,” he says to the drunk, pushing against her roughly with the rake, his back now up against the red brick of the house. “Did you call the police?”

“They didn’t answer.”

“They didn’t answer?”

“That’s what I said. They were busy.”

“Well, try them again.”

“I can’t.” He glances over at you from the corner of his eyes, exasperated as he continues to hold the girl back. “I dropped my phone. It’s broken.”

“You have got to be kidding me,” Tao almost growls, his fingers digging deeper into the handle. Pushing back the woman while spitting out profanities, he digs the prongs of the rake into her ribs. She doesn't stop, instead turning towards you, her hands outstretched. Before she is able to get close, Tao jams the rake into her chest, the tines drawing blood as they gouge deep into her skin. “Get lost!”

“Holy shit, Tao!” She falls on her back flush against the manicured lawn, the erect rake sprouting out of her flesh. “You killed her!”

Tao steps back, his face blank, then turns to you. His eyes flicker across your face and body, his hands joining in their search. “Are you okay? Did she hurt you?”

“No. What do we do?” Your whispered breath is shaky. “We can go buy a shovel and bury her under the garden. This isn’t so bad. In fact she’ll make great fertilizer.”

“What the fuck? It was self defense,” he says, an incredulous look on his face. “I appreciate the ride or die mentality but-”

He stops mid sentence as you gasp, your eyes widening as Sheraton Barbie rises, arms out stiff in alignment with the wooden handle still protruding from her chest.

“There’s no way.”

The wood sticking out of her body flails senseless and free, back and forth as she sways, each staggering step creeping closer. Tao looks over and you both burst out laughing, the image of the rake thrashing about while still embedded within this undead woman is too much to bear. You continue to laugh until she’s too close to ignore, stepping back a few spaces before you both run to the front door. Leaning against the door, you look over at each other and laugh again.

“Let’s call the police,” Tao says, grabbing his phone from the living room table. Pushing a few buttons, he presses it to his ear. After a moment of silence he says, “It’s busy.”

“I told you.”

“Yes, but it’s still busy,” he says, handing you the phone. “Hold that and let me know when they answer.”

“Where are you going?”

“We need to find weapons. Something to use against that- that thing.”

“She’s dead. You killed Sheraton Barbie.”

He looks at you with one eyebrow raised before he nods. “I’m well aware of that.”

“I mean, I think she might be a zombie.”

“Don’t be ridiculous.” A loud thump on the door makes you both jump and when you turn to look, the Sheraton Barbie is outside. Her grubby hands press against your window and the wooden rake sticks out lengthwise against the glass as she chews the air looking right at you. Every time she moves the rake moves with her, thudding hard against the window.

“She’s going to break it,” you say, looking up at him. “What do we have down here that we can use? What about your Bearbrick Babies?”

“Don’t even joke.”

“They’re right there. It’s in the name. They are freaking bricks, Tao,” you say, pointing towards the case holding his collection, the pristine gleam of the clear glass calling out to be opened. The banging of wood on glass from outside punctures the silence every three to four seconds. “We don’t have many options.”

“I would rather that trashy, drunk undead ‘Barbie’ break in here and rip out my intestines while I’m still alive. We are not hurting the Bearbrick’s. We have other options.”

The banging increases. It’s every one to two seconds now. The audible sound of glass cracking ringing out throughout the room. “Well you better find something else quick or we won’t have a goddamn window.”

“Fuck.” Tao squeezes his head, the force of his hands against his skull turning his knuckles white.

“Ah!” You dive to the bottom of the display case's shelf, the one covered in a light blue marble. You slide open the door and pull out two large metal boxes and slide them across the floor. “What about this?”

“The Rolexs?” He frowns, hesitant. Another crack echoes off the walls as the zombie outside tries to get in.

“Well I don’t think throwing the table or lounge chair is gonna do it.”

“Why do I have to throw my precious collections? What about your china?”

“The fine china? My fine china? Why would I-”

Another crack, this time right before the window smashes inward. Sheraton Barbie on the other side is already starting to climb in. Behind her you see another zombie at the edge of the lawn, close to the road but making his way toward the house. The sound of this stupid, dead bitch breaking your window must have gotten his attention.

The fuck nut zombie inside knocks over your kaleidoscope-coloured crystal vases and your fine china tea sets with that stupid, stupid wooden stick and you scream out in frustration. First your garden and now your fine china. Is nothing sacred? Your vision starts to blur on the fringes of your eyesight as a wet rage builds.

“Just do something!”

“I don’t think freaking out about your little tea set is going to help the current situation,” he says, lunging over the sofa and jamming his palm onto the wooden stick to hold back the zombie.

“I am calm,” you growl, giving each word emphasis before grabbing one of his silly little watches and throwing it towards Sheraton Barbie. It hits her straight in between the eyes then bounces, ricocheting off the handle and slingshotting back up against her chest. It lodges itself in one of the widening holes created by the rake.

“What the hell? Did you just throw my Rolex? Did you throw my Rolex? Did you just throw my damn Rolex and now it’s got zombie gunk on it?”

“Well, wasn't it last season anyway?”

“Last season? It doesn’t really work that way and if it did, no ‘season’ is any less important than the last when it comes to a Rolex. They’re timeless.”

“There’s a zombie in the living room, Tao.”

“I am well aware of what is in the house, sweetheart,” he says, accentuating the last word as he nods towards the undead woman.

“Well, what about this one? When did you last wear this?” The silver watch dangles from your index finger as you hold it in front of your eyes while you use your other hand to search for the next sturdy Rolex to throw.

“I wouldn’t dare to wear that one.”

‘Oh, great, then this one?” You throw the watch and this one bounces off her temple. Gnashing teeth turn your way. Tao moans, his staggered breath punctuated by moisture building up around his eyes as he holds steadfast. Good. He deserves it. “It’s not working. They’re too soft, Tao.”

“It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that one out.”

“We need to use the Bearbrick Babies. They are good for nothing. Literally useless,” you say, jumping up and running towards the case.

“Fuck that. Hold this,” he says, leading the zombie over and shoving the handle into your hand. Pain trickles throughout your palm from what you are certain will be splinters. “Hold her and stop throwing my stuff.”

“Wait.”

He doesn’t. He runs past you and around the corner before you hear the familiar sound of his footfalls on the wooden steps as he continues on to your bedroom.

Her stench is unbearable; you can smell death on your lips. Turning to look out the window, you notice the other zombie is halfway across the yard. His lifeless eyes lock on the shattered frame.

This is not how you want to die. Where is Tao? As long as you don’t die before he gets here, it should be okay. He won’t let anything happen to you… right?

Right as a tear rolls down your face, the moisture seeping into your dry skin, you hear the thumping sounds of Tao running back down the stairs. He dashes out from behind the corner now wearing jeans and a white sleeveless shirt. Yesterday's outfit that was carelessly thrown across the room last night. There’s something off about him. Searching him over a few times, you notice it. At first you had mistaken the silver glint as an accessory.

“Is that a gun?”

“If it looks like a gun and acts like a gun then I guess it must be a gun.”

“Where did you get that from?”

“Not in the safe, that's for sure,” he says, bitterness on his lips as he raises the weapon towards the zombie that now has you pinned against the wall, her arms flailing out in every direction, desperate for your flesh. “Nope, couldn’t put it there. Not after you randomly changed the code on me.”

“You kept that gun in the house? After I told you to get rid of it?”

He’s upset because you needed a place to keep your documents and all his friends know his combination, which he in turn said wasn’t a big deal. It’s not that you don’t trust his friends, but why should everyone have the code? If everyone can get into the safe, what’s the point of it? And you bought it after all, it’s only right that you be the one that makes the code.

“Yeah, that's right. It's a good thing too,” he says, waving at Sheraton Barbie with a crooked smile.

“A zombie apocalypse is an outlier, Tao!”

The zombie lurches forward, the rake squelching inside her undead skin until it passes completely through to the other side, leaving you face to face with her bared teeth. Screeching, you push against her chest, leaning away from the overwhelming stench of decay leaking from her mouth as the other one starts to paw at the windowsill. This is it. This is where you die. This is how your pathetic life finally comes to an end. What has it all been for?

Fireworks penetrate your thoughts. Two loud pops. Sheraton Barbie falls to the floor with a thud and your eardrums vibrate.

“Gross! What the fuck, Tao!” A tremble rumbles across your skin and you feel pressure like when high altitudes pop your ears. After a few seconds, your hearing resets to its original level of capacity. Your face scrunches up as you pluck pieces of Sheraton Barbie out of your hair. “My eardrums might never recover.”

“Don’t be dramatic.” He puts the gun into the holster and upon noticing your glare he continues. "You’ll be fine. It will settle in a few minutes. It’s only a 45mm.”

“Only.”

“And what would you suggest instead?”

“I don’t know, a knife?”

“And use the good cutlery? I’d never hear the end of it,” he says, his voice dripping with sarcasm. It’s not your fault that whenever he tries to make something in the kitchen something ends up broken. It’s not the cost of replacing the item, it’s the inconvenience.

“That’s it!” You are done. You refuse to be in the same room as this Neanderthal for a moment longer. The way he prances around the house, fists beating against his chest. The way he makes you feel like you can’t do anything right. “I’m going to my mother’s house.”

“In the middle of a zombie apocalypse?!"

“I’d rather die out there than be stuck in here with a plant killer like you.” You grab your envelope clutch from the entryway table, slamming the door on the way out. “I’d rather die out here than live in there with you.”

A pout forms on your chapped lips as you walk down the walkway thinking of all the cutting words you could have said instead, the ways you could have hurt him but didn’t. You restrained yourself yet again for the betterment of the relationship. You always put him first and here he is sending you outside when he knows you left your keys inside and he knows you’re too stubborn to turn around and get them now. How could you when you’ve already gotten this far? Why would he send you out into the cold in the middle of a zombie invasion?

Reaching the footpath in front of the house, you turn in the direction of your mother's house that, as Tao so eloquently put it, is only two streets away. The walk will do you good - the fresh air and the quiet. The deafening silence is just what you need. The empty streets, the absence of children's laughter and blaring horns. The empty red Buick with all four doors open, its front bumper wrapped around the wooden telephone pole while smoke spirals from its engine. It’s all so refreshing. The absence of humanity.

Continuing down the next street, the smell of rot and rust in the air, you turn the corner and run straight into a crowd of the restless undead, their mouths slack and their eyes lifeless. There’s about fifteen of them and they’re blocking the walkway. They haven’t seen you yet, their attention instead on the young couple in front of them. The pair are holding hands up on trash cans that look ready to cave in at any moment.

The issue is how to get over to that side of the street without the horde noticing, because although they seem oblivious to you right now, the couple they currently have their eyes on have taken notice. What a bother.

“Help!” the woman yells out. You point to your ear and shrug, pretending you didn’t hear before trying to creep past them. “Please! We can’t hold them off for much longer!”

And just what the fuck do they expect you to do?

Before you can reply, the man tears his arm from hers and pushes her towards the zombies. Her screams quickly become gurgled gulps of blood as you stare slack-jawed after the prick now shimmying up one of the poles holding the awning above. So much for true love. Must all men be scum?

Turning away, you shake your head and decide to take this moment, the death of another hopeless woman in love, to not let her death be in vain. Right as you step out onto the road, a loud tearing sound echoes out over the groaning of the hoard of zombies.

“No, no, no. No!” It’s the dickless fuck. He’s hanging from the railing. The soft material of the awning now split in two, its nonchalant flapping drawing several of the mob. The ones not eating his girlfriend start to surround him and claw towards him, reaching with hungry sweeps of their arms. He looks to you with pleading eyes and calls out, “Help me. Please!”

You give him a thumbs down and mouth the words, ‘die bitch.’

And he will die. The first zombie that reaches him when his hold on the pole finally weakens digs her teeth into his ankle. It’s his partner. Poetic justice. He squeals and falls to the ground, his high pitched screams soon snuffed out by the crunching of teeth on flesh.

Shuffling as quietly as the tips of your shoes will allow, you dart across the street to the promise of safety and it pays off. They didn’t notice you, instead immersed in the meal already caught. Resisting a triumphant shout of achievement, you continue to walk down the pavement, your eyes glancing back at the group every so often to make sure you haven’t been seen.

Turning back to face the street ahead you’re caught off guard when a lady dressed in classic black skinny jeans, a white tucked in shirt, business black kitten heels and a tan blazer walks out from the boutique and slams right into you. Her face is perfect, eyebrows plucked and lined, not a single lash out of place. If it wasn’t for the small smudge of her red lipstick spread across her slack jaw you might not have noticed anything was wrong.

Fuck. You should have thought of the stores. What an amateur move.

Before you have time to ponder your mistake, hands grab you from behind, a hoarse moan accompanying the stench of wet dirt and old pasta sauce. It’s too much. The thought of it ending this way, sandwiched between this cheap business woman and the man who loves meatballs a little too much, it's depressing and not at all the type of threesome you wanted. You scream. It’s a guttural noise that reverberates from chest to throat in a painful spiral.

It’s a mistake of course. The booming sound echoes out across the street, bringing the unwanted attention of the horde of undead looking for something more exciting to snack on now that the asshole has gone cold. Caught between the two creatures, you kick the woman hard in the chest, causing her to stagger backwards. Ducking from the tall man still leaning over you with his teeth bared, you crouch down while kicking out your leg and slamming it against his knees. He topples over in time for you to turn back to the woman who is now lunging at you on the floor. You roll to the side and let her fall face first into the concrete pavement.

Fuck.

Three more are behind her, exiting the boutique. Tears spring to your eyes out of frustration. Not fear. You refuse to be scared. Scared people act stupid in these situations and get themselves killed. No, you will not be dying here today.

You take a quick look at the three zombies. There’s a queen of hearts sticking out from the breast pocket of one of the old women and when you see it, a glint of metal catches your eye. One of them has a cane. Sorry Grandma but this firecracker refuses to be taken down by an old bridge group.

Spinning on your toes, you dart out of their direct line of contact before kicking the old lady square on the left knee. She buckles and as she goes down you grab the silver cane. Is this considered elderly abuse? You can’t think for long because the other two are coming towards you and the one you took out is already wobbling to her feet.

“Let’s do this, you ugly bastards.”

Holding the cane out in front of you with both hands on the end, you jab at them Three Stooges-style: one in the eyes, one in the gut, one across the ear. In quick succession you jab at them over and over again until your arm aches. Then you dash past them, holding them back by the length of the wood.

“Haha!" Cheerful glee drips from your words as you continue down the street. Looking over your shoulder for the last time, you poke your tongue out and turn down the next street. You ram into another zombie. This one grabs your arm to take a bite. You kick him in the shin and start to beat him over the head with the cane when he folds over in pain. “Just die, you bastard!”

“What the fuck!"

It’s Tao.

“Oh my god! I thought you were one of them!”

“What the fuck!?”

“Oh Tao! Tao!” You squeal, pulling him up to his feet and hugging him. “Thank God you’re here!”

“That hurts like a bitch,” he says, holding you with one arm as he shakes his leg and rubs the top of his head. He’s so strong. You know it doesn’t even hurt him at all. He’s come and saved you. You’re safe!

“Oh, Tao.” Holding him tighter, you let your legs give way underneath you, finally allowing the stress of the day to wash over you. “You came for me. You came to save me. I knew you would. I knew you couldn’t live without me, Tao!”

“Well, I mean, I knew you would get yourself killed out here,” he says, dragging you by one arm into the alleyway right as the limping, caneless grandma from the previous street turns the corner and walks past aimless and hungry, followed closely by her slack-mouthed friends. Tao’s quick thinking saved you again. He’s so brave. He’s so smart. He’s such a man.

“I-” He holds a finger to your lips, stopping you from drawing attention to your hiding spot, and you can’t help but admire his reflexes. Instead of pushing him away like you usually would, you step closer. His base scent of pink pepper, limes and amber wood is provocative and you want the taste of him on your lips.

Grinning up at him, you grab his finger still hovering in front of lips and suck on it, taking it in all the way to the knuckle and making a soft plop sound as you pull back to his fingertip. You kiss each digit, your eyes glued to his. The quirk of his brow is the only response as you kiss up his hand, his arm and his shoulder. A glint of something you haven’t seen in months flickers across his face before he pulls you into his embrace, one arm wrapping around your waist, the other circling your neck.

It’s fire. The look in his eyes. The look he lost. It’s desire in its rawest form. He wants you and you can’t blame him - you’re quite the catch - but after today you can admit that he is too. A hero. The type of man you can depend on no matter the situation.

Biting your lip, you lean into his chest. An animalistic urge to take him where you stand in this dirty back alley, wild and free of worry, builds up inside, right next to the searing heat within your gut. Heat that threatens to spread like wildfire and burn you both down for being so foolish to play with matches in the forest. The type of fire that leaves nothing. Spontaneous and unyielding.

Your thoughts start to muddle as his lips press against yours with the same desperate need that mirrors your own. Your hands grasp with reckless lust, clawing at this shirt, needing skin to skin contact. His chest is tight under your fingertips that mark and claim his body. He belongs to you and to you alone and you wonder why things were even going south lately. He’s fucking sexy. The burning desire and aching love you feel for Tao now might well be the same as the first time you realized he was your one love, your other half.

He places creamy kisses across your neck before biting your bottom lip. He sucks on your tongue as he squeezes your ass. The taste of him is salty and bitter like that of a margarita on a warm summer's night. A small moan exits your lips and his eyes shift to the entryway of the alley before he pulls you closer, your hips flush against his as he lifts you like a doll, defenseless in his arms. Defenseless but safe. His toned arms engulf you as he continues to fuck your mouth with his magic tongue and you can’t help but think of all the things you want him to do with it.

As if the heavens themselves are opening up for you, a light drizzle of rain starts to fall upon you, deepening the romance. The dark cramped alley, Tao covered in blood, and now it's raining; it’s as if you are in a movie. A romantic comedy, Tao and you the stars. The signs out on display, it was fate that you and your soulmate had saved each other from a fate worse than death.

Grinding against him, you nip at his tongue with a muted chuckle, your swollen lips crushing against his. Then his sweet, salty taste starts to change into something less appealing. Something… sour, acidic yet metallic.

“What the hell?” Separating, you both look up, the romantic rain actually rusty, red water coming from the pipe off the gutter above you. It stains your clothes, Tao’s white shirt turning an atrocious shade of pink.

“It suits you,” you say, laughing before slapping a hand over your mouth and looking down the alley. No movement. Yet.

“Yeah, yeah. It’s hilarious,” he whispers with a tilt of irritation on his lips. He grabs your hand, entwining his fingers with yours as he leads you back to the street's entrance. “Let’s go home.”

“Okay.” Although you are closer to your mother's place you don’t argue, knowing he must have one thing in mind for when you return, your hearts and bodies now aligned. He needs you as much as you need him and you’ve proven that today. After all he was your saviour, your knight in shining armour, cutting through the hordes of beasts in the way of his one true love. He’s amazing.

“Jesus Christ,” he says under his breath as he looks down the street. His face is scrunched up in pain as he says, “That guy's dick has been chewed straight off.”

“He really is a dickless fuck.” When Tao quirks his brow, you shake your head. “It’s what he deserved. Believe me.”

Making your way back down the streets that separate you from your home, Tao is ready to jump in front of you whenever danger strikes. Although there are less zombies on the way home, there is a close call with a Chihuahua. Once the crisis is averted, Tao limps down the street in remembrance of his brave act. It takes less time to return. Most of the zombies wandering the streets are in pairs or alone, easy to evade.

As you turn onto your own street, your home in view, you lean into Tao and let him guide you up your driveway with your fingers still entwined with his. Nothing can ruin this moment. Not the broken window or the dead zombie slumped under said window, not even the crushed flowers under Tao’s ridiculously overpriced pussy magnet muscle car. And although yes, a small part of you was hoping that he would carry you inside bridal-style, you don’t let that get to you either, because nothing is perfect and that’s okay. It’s okay because it's almost perfect.

You don’t let the fact that Tao didn’t remove Sheraton Barbie from the living room get to you. It’s not like you’re strong enough to get her out of here, anyway. A delicate flower like you should be taken care of and you know you will be. You know that Tao will get rid of her soon. He was just in too much of a rush to come and find you. If the house looked like he had cleaned up, it would be suspicious. Kind of like the fact that his watches are all put back inside the case inside the glass cabinet. His watches are all safe and packed away. How lovely.

No, you refuse to be brought down in this moment, a moment of pure bliss by anything. Not even by Tao turning on the TV and flipping through the channels.

“What are you doing?”

“I want to see if there’s any news about what’s been happening,” he says with a frown as he stares at the television, each channel providing the same blank static as the next.

“I thought we were gonna, you know,” you mutter, touching the ends of your pointer fingers together. “I mean, that whole rescue thing got me pretty hot.”

“Yeah, it’s hot out there.” He continues to switch through channels as he walks over to the bookcase behind the couch, grabbing the ancient satellite radio.

“Are you kidding me right now?”

“What?”

“We had a moment, Tao! What about our moment? It was romantic!”

“Are you crazy?” He is looking at you now, finally paying attention to you. “Are you talking about that psycho move you pulled in the middle of a fucking zombie apocalypse that ended in us being drowned in rusty pipe water? That romantic moment?”

“Yes, Tao! It was a sign that we are meant to be together. Didn’t you feel it?”

“A sign?” he laughs, shaking his head while fiddling with the radio. “I felt an intense desire to fuck my kinky wife who was obviously going off the rails after dealing with this whole traumatic event and you obviously needed comfort and who was I to deny you that? But a sign? It’s literal Armageddon out there and I’m just trying to figure out what’s going on.”

“It needs batteries and we have none that size in the house.”

“What?”

“The bloody radio, arsehole,” you yell, turning your back to hide your tears. How had he not felt it? It was as if he hadn’t been there with you at all. It was like magic and he was denying everything you felt. “I thought you cared about this marriage. I thought you cared about us.”

“Hey.” He wraps his arms around you, squeezing you tight enough that you can’t breathe for a moment as he lifts you in the air and swings you around. “I do care about this marriage.”

“Could have fooled me.”

“You know, when you left I thought, 'Good riddance, and don’t come back.'” He ignores your huff as he continues, “I did. I thought about how peaceful it would be without you. But then the longer you were gone, the more deafening the silence became. There was a knot forming in my chest and all I could think about was what I was meant to do without you if you didn’t return.”

“Really?”

“Of course, you idiot.” He pushes his pointer finger against your cheekbone before lightly touching his forehead to yours, your breath connected in unison. “I didn’t realize it was that bad out there or I wouldn’t have let you leave at all.”

“As if you could have stopped me,” you say, biting the inside of your lip.

“You think I couldn’t have?”

His eyes sparkle with a mischievous gleam, a smirk spreading across his face as he spins you towards the recliner and pins you underneath him. Leaning close he whispers your name as he brushes his lips against yours. Squeezing your ass, your hips lift up to his as he deepens the kiss, his tongue dancing with yours, singing a song only they know the words to. Your hand digs into his hair and you suck on his tasty lips before he pulls back with a start. He leaps up to his feet and walks towards the door.

“What? Where are you going?”

“I’m going to the store - do you want anything?”

“Are you serious right now? I swear to God,” you say the words behind clenched teeth, your hands balled up into little fists. How can this man be so oblivious? “Also I don’t know if you noticed this but there just so happen to be zombies out there!”

“Yeah? So? I want a Cornetto. I think I work hard enough for this household to give myself a treat.”

“Oh and I don’t, I guess. It’s always I work so hard. I do this. Well I work hard, too! I cook, I clean. I do a lot around here and I am sick of your condescending attitude!”

“Listen. I’m going to get some batteries and a Cornetto and at this point I might not get you anything!”

“Get me some chocolate milk. The expensive one. The cheap ones upset my tummy,” you say with a pout.

“Anything for my princess.” He kisses you on the temple with a sly chuckle before saying, “And when I get back we can fuck since I know you want to so bad.”

Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed this content! If you did, please consider liking, commenting, reblogging and/or following, and check out my masterlist for similar content. Have a great day!

#tao x reader #tao smut #zitao x reader #zitao smut #huang zitao #exo smut #kpop smut #exo x reader #huang zitao x reader #huang zitao smut #exo fluff #exo crack #exo fanfic #exo zombie au #kpop zombie au #kpop crack #kpop collab #exo collab #writeformesinpie

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yehet-me-up · 4 years ago

Text

Fractions of Tomorrow

Pairing: Zitao/Reader (female)

Word Count: 10,249

Rating/Warnings: PG13

Summary: They always say opposites attract but you and Tao are putting that theory to the test. He works nights at Flanagan’s, you work the crack of dawn shift at Starbucks. He wears leather jackets, sings in a rock band, and drives a motorcycle. You prefer Keds to Chucks, study poetry at UW, and ride a pastel purple bike across town. Luckily, he’s not someone who’s afraid of a challenge.

When Baekhyun dares you and Tao to test the idea that two people can fall in love in one night you don’t expect to care so much, so fast. And when the sun rises all you can hope is that he feels the same.

Part seven of the Exodus Mall series (Can be read independently, but you’ll get some extra backstory if you read the other parts first!)

February 28, 1997

His head aches, body still reeling from the alcohol he drank far too much of the night before. The line at Starbucks is endlessly long and he groans. If he was responsible he’d go to the grocery across the street and get a decent breakfast. But his brain needs a substitute for the gin he was coerced into last night by his friends and it will only accept caffeine as an offering.

A saccharine song pours in from the speakers and people around him clear their throats or rustle in their pockets and the sheer noise of the morning grates against him. He’s a creature of the night; he finds other humans far more tolerable without the sun beating down on him. Only desperation pulled him from his hangover to acquire the nectar of the gods. He taps his foot and shrugs his jacket further up his body, hoping the collar will keep the bright light pouring in from the tall windows from reaching him.

A sweet voice breaks through the din and he turns to watch you, drawn by the warmth of the sound. It’s not his first time here, but it’s his first time paying attention. In the thriving ecosystem of the Exodus Mall everyone’s a friend of a friend of a cousin of someone and he distantly remembers you’re related to one of Baekhyun’s friends.

Maybe it’s the way early mornings after late nights distort the world, making everything feel hazy like a dream. Maybe it’s the fact that he went home alone last night, yet again. Maybe it’s the bright, energetic shine in your eyes, astounding for the pre-eight-am time. Or maybe it’s the dimple in your cheek when you smile at the customer, writing his name on the cup and passing it to your co-workers.

When the man moves aside and you turn your focus on Tao, for whatever reason, his intuition tells him to notice. Maybe it’s an illusion, but today feels different. You feel different.

‘Hi, welcome to Starbucks. What can I get you?’

He opens his mouth, unsure what to say. For a long beat he simply observes you. The little hearts drawn around your name on your name tag. He rolls it around in his mind, matching your face with the word, almost saying it aloud. A dangerous proposition. A door he should leave shut.

Someone coughs behind him and he shakes his head, stepping forward. ‘Just a big Americano please. As big as possible.’ His voice is thick and his throat dry. One day he’ll remember to drink a glass of water before bed after getting drunk.

You nod, reaching to the stack of cups. ‘A grande?’

He swallows to wet his throat. ‘Sure.’

‘Name?’

With a deep inhale he smells last night’s cologne still clinging to his skin. God he needs to get his shit together, he thinks with a sigh. His general state of dishevelment is even more noticeable next to you. He wonders if you ironed the collar of your shirt to be that precise or if you simply move through the world without acquiring any wrinkles.

‘Zitao,’ he says finally.

‘Cute.’ You say it under your breath but he still hears. His eyes go wide, his sluggish mind coming awake. After handing the cup to your co-worker you say the total. ‘That’ll be four oh two please.’

Automatically he reaches into his pocket for his wallet and pulls out the five dollar bill. He knows he’s staring like an idiot but he can’t help it. You hand him his change and on reflex he drops it into the tip jar. Service industry solidarity, he thinks with a half-smile.

The smile on your face blossoms; tentative at first, it grows when his eyes meet yours again. ‘Thank you!’ You pull a small coffee can out from beside the register and hold it out to him. ‘Anyone who tips gets a poem.’

He stares at the can and the slips of paper neatly folded within. Amusement fills him and he reaches for one at random, his fingers brushing yours as he pulls back. The sensation makes him want to linger. How long has it been since he touched someone, in the daylight? Since he wanted to hold and be held? Tao tells himself it doesn’t matter. It can’t. He’s got plans to leave Seattle and he doesn’t need anything tethering him here.

Before he embarasses himself he slides the paper into his pocket with a nod and moves on down the line. As he waits for his drink he keeps his focus on you. The efficiency of your motions and the genuine happiness on your face as you take order after order on the busy Friday morning. People come and go around him but he leans against the wall, waiting, thinking.

Finally his drink is done and the cup spreads heat along his chilled palms. The world is too sharp and demanding and the thought of a day full of errands on too little sleep followed by a full shift at the bar drags at him. But the smell of coffee and your smile and the mystery poem in his pocket are life preservers thrown to him today. He clings to them with both hands to keep himself afloat.

On his way out he finally reads the poem you’ve gifted to him. The writing is done with small, neat lettering and he knows it’s yours.

There is a candle in your heart, ready to be kindled.

There is a void in your soul, ready to be filled.

You feel it, don’t you?

- Rumi

With a groan he pushes out the door with his shoulder, blinking on the too-bright sidewalk. It’s too early to feel so raw and exposed, he decides.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Friday July 18, 1997

You trail into Flanagan’s Pub after Baekhyun and your sister, Hitchcock. It’s not her real name, but she’s had the nickname so long it might as well be. As always, they argue about movies. As always, you’re the third wheel. Not that they’re actually dating. But everyone agrees they should.

‘Come on, it was brilliant.’ Baekhyun waves his hands dramatically as you wind your way around the crowded bar after them.

‘I’m not saying it wasn’t,’ she responds. They slide into a booth opposite each other and you follow after your sister. ‘All I’m saying is it’s unrealistic, that’s all.’

Baekhyun scoffs, offended. ‘As if realism was the point here.’ You unfold the drink menu while he carries on, undeterred. ‘I know you’re not a hopeless romantic like myself, but are you honestly telling me that you don’t think it’s possible?’

Tonight’s Friday-movie-night tradition was your first viewing of The Fifth Element and Korben and Leeloo’s instant connection has revived their years-long argument about love at first sight. You roll your eyes when your sister shakes her head, leaning forward to tease him. She’s told you about her crush on Baekhyun, her best friend. For someone who’s been in love for as long as you can remember she fights awfully hard against Baekhyun’s romantic nature. Methinks the lady doth protest too much…

‘Look at Before Sunrise,’ Baekhyun says with a click of his tongue. ‘One night and they fell in love.’

She hums and scans the menu. ‘So what? It’s just one night. Show me what happens ten years later. After they see each other with messy morning hair and when he leaves dishes in the sink or, I don’t know, when she bites her nails.’ Baekhyun huffs and she smothers a laugh. ‘Let’s see how that instant love does after it’s put to the test. I’m not saying it isn’t possible, I’m just saying one night doesn’t mean it will stand the test of time, that’s all.’ She folds her menu and rests her elbows on the table, looking incredibly smug.

Baekhyun opens his mouth to argue but the server arrives and interrupts his tirade. ‘What can I get for you?’

The gravelly voice is familiar and your eyes widen in surprise when you see Tao towering over the table. Quickly you look away, back to the dark wood table.

You’ve noticed him before - at Starbucks, at parties at Baek’s from a distance, at Moe’s ages ago - but tonight he’s so cleaned up you hardly recognize him. Gone are the bags under his eyes and the nervous, jittery, curmudgeon energy that seemed to hang over him like a dark cloud. Tonight his eyes are alert and crinkle at the corner when he smiles broadly and you can’t help but notice. A very bad idea.

‘Hey man, how’s it going?’ Baekhyun reaches out and does a complex handshake with the man before you.

‘Oh, you know. Just working at the salt mines,’ Tao says with a laugh. ‘Are you coming to Chan and Soo’s party tomorrow night?’

‘You know it. I wouldn’t miss your big send off. My man here is taking off on a national tour on Sunday. Local boy making it big!’ Baekhyun gives Tao a friendly punch on the arm before drumming his fingers on the table and raising a brow. ‘Since you’re here, maybe you can settle an argument for us.’

Tao darts a look to you and clears his throat. ‘Sure thing. Lay it on me.’

‘Do you believe you can fall in love with someone in one night?’ Baekhyun waggles his brows at your sister and she groans. ‘Like, soulmates burning-down-the world you’re the person I’ve waited for always Blockbuster kind of love.’

He tilts his head to the side, considering. After a moment he shrugs. ‘I’m not sure.’ For a flash Tao’s eyes linger on you once more. ‘I think it would depend on the person.’ And then the bastard goes and winks at you.

Baekhyun snorts and lounges back in the booth, resting his arm on the back of the seat. 'Good luck, buddy. You'd have better luck charming a brick wall. She only reads about love these days, Double Shot here is a bit gun-shy at putting it into practice again.’

You glare at Baekhyun, body going rigid at being called out. For as long as he's been your sister's best friend he's acted like a surrogate older brother to you. He vacillates between telling you it’s good you’re so focused on your studies and telling you that you're too serious, too focused on school and work. Since you got broken up with Baekhyun seems focused on the latter, always needling you to go out and have fun. But, as they say, once burned twice shy.

You focus intently on your hands resting on the table and absolutely avoid looking at Tao. From the first time you rang him up at Starbucks you knew his gaze would see more than you'd like. He's the type to see through every bullshit line you give about how you’re fine being alone, fine with how things ended, fine fine fine.

If life was kind the three of you would order and Tao would leave and that would be the end of it. You could safely stay in your cocoon and hide. But of course, life doesn't play fair.

Tao sticks the pen behind his ear and folds his arms. ‘Is that a bet?’

Your cheeks warm and your heart races. Finally, you look up to him fully. 'Excuse me?'

He shrugs and gives you a lopsided smile. 'If you're game, of course. What do you say, shall we put this to the test?'

'You want to see if we'd fall in love in a night?' You're certain you look like a terrified animal. In a vain attempt to fold yourself back into someone confident you lean against the booth, pressing your feet to the ground and making your spine tall and straight. 'What makes you think you're even my type?'

‘Sweetheart, I’m everyone’s type.’

God knows he probably is. Tall, handsome bad boy who sings like an angel, drives a stupidly hot motorcycle, and looks like he knows the fastest way to make you come undone with just a look. But charming is only skin deep and in return you want to see if there’s anything underneath it that would keep your interest.

‘Fine, then.’ You hold out your hand. ‘I’ll take your bet.’ Stubborn, always so stubborn. Baekhyun giggles and claps excitedly as you grip Tao’s rough, much larger hand.

Your sister leans across you to stare Tao down. 'Hang on. I'm not about to let her go off with some random dude. How do we know you're trustworthy?' Hitchcock has turned her interrogation mode on. ‘I’ve seen you around, but I don’t know you from Bruce Willis.’

He must have other tables to attend to, other things to do, but he rests his palms on the table and leans down to meet her glare. 'I'm an open book. Ask me anything.' The move brings him inches from you. He smells like whisky, the kind that burns, and you swallow instinctively in response.

She narrows her eyes and hums. 'How old are you?'

'Twenty three.'

'Did you go to school?'

He chuckles. 'High school. No need for college.'

'Why not?' You speak up, preparing for an argument. He looks like he could actually keep up with you and a spark of excitement grows low in your body.

'Between singing and bartending I make plenty of money.’ He answers you, not your sister. ‘Don't get me wrong, I respect an education. But I get far more inspiration from living life than from just reading about it.'

You bristle. As a poetry major this feels like a personal attack. ‘Are you telling me you’ve never read anything that made you feel - I don’t know - inspired. Magical. Exposed?' You press your lips together, wishing you could gather the words back.

Tao looks at you through his lashes, bending close enough that you can feel his breath on your lips when he speaks. ‘Words are just the appetizer, darling. I prefer to have an entire feast.’

His dancing eyes dart down to your lips. But then he straightens, pulling the pen out and readying it on the pad. You grip the table to avoid swaying towards him and almost hate him for how much of a magnetic pull he seems to have over you. 'Any other questions or can I grab your orders?'

Baekhyun orders a Smirnoff Ice, delight pouring off him. Your sister narrows her eyes at Tao for a moment. Finally, she relents and orders a sex on the beach. You stare at the red plaid shirt tied around Tao’s hips and order something. An Appletini maybe? Your mind seems to have abandoned you but thankfully Tao nods and winds his way back through the crowd to the bar. In his absence you can breathe fully and look up to see Baekhyun smirking.

‘What?’ you practically groan at him.

‘Oh, nothing.’ He looks like the cat that caught the canary. ‘I just love being right.’

Hitchcock kicks him under the table and he winces, reaching for his shin. They resume their discussion, transitioning to talking about their opening shifts at the theater tomorrow and how much they can reasonably drink tonight and still be functional in the morning. You drum your nails on the lacquered wood table and wonder if your heart is racing from the heat of the packed bar or from the prospect of Tao holding you to your bargain.

The man himself comes back with drinks a moment later. When he slides the light green concoction across the table to you he tilts his head in question. ‘So, how about tonight?’

You choke on your sip and fight the burn in your throat. ‘Are you serious? So soon?’

He grins. ‘Why, did you want time to get ready? I think if we’re going to put it to the test it would have to be tonight. Also, I leave on Sunday morning, so the clock is ticking so to speak.’

‘But I work tomorrow at Starbucks. At the crack of dawn.’ You sputter, waving your hand in front of you. ‘I didn’t think you-’

‘Guess we should get started soon, then.' He winks again and you're tempted to throw your drink at him, just to get the upper hand. ‘I get off at nine.’ Without another word he puts the serving tray under his arm and leaves.

Your sister rolls her eyes. ‘You’re such a bad influence, Baek.’

He throws his arms out wide. ‘I can’t help it baby, I’m a lover. What can I say?’

She snorts and pats you on the back sympathetically. You down your drink in two swallows and absolutely refuse to look at Tao, Baekhyun, or your sister. Instead you pull some bills from your purse and push your way out of the bar before anyone can suggest anything else insane.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It takes you several tries to find a presentable outfit. It's been more than six months since that last fateful date and in the time between you’ve built a literal barrier around yourself, bundling up in sweaters and blankets at home, only emerging for work and class and Friday movie nights.

Baekhyun's words come back to you as you frown and throw yet another outfit on the bed. Are you really a brick wall, impenetrable and cold? You weren't always, surely. Byron's 'and thus, the heart will break, yet brokenly live on' swims in your mind, still fresh from the finals you took just a few weeks ago.

You don't feel broken, just stuck. Numb. Waiting. You hold a dress up to your body and wonder if your ex feels the same or if he, as the one who did the dumping, moved on instantly, and it's just the broken-up-with half that flails around trying to find new footing.

With an defiant press of your lips you sigh and settle on your favorite black and white checkered dress and white Keds. It’s a declaration of intent in a peter pan collar. Your ex always hated your clothes, what you chose to study, your music; everything about you screamed soft and he tried so hard to bend and form you into someone he wanted.

But you are as you are - romantic and idealistic and sweet. You roll your eyes. It’s the truth, and you remind yourself that just because you didn’t match him doesn’t mean you have to change just to make someone else happy. The outfit screams innocence it dares Tao to judge you tonight. As if you care what he thinks. Which you definitely do not.

You barely make it back in time to Flanagan’s. When you rush up Tao is pushing out of the bar onto the street. A thrill runs down your spine at his smile when he sees you. Your ex doesn't control you anymore, you remind yourself. You get to decide when you move on; when you stop mourning something that's dead and over and find something new. Even if it's not with Tao, tonight is an experiment. To see if you can handle a fresh start.

‘Hi,’ you start, breathless from your hurrying.

'Hi yourself. You still game?' he asks, mischief in his eyes and hands in the pockets of his leather jacket. 'If you want an out I won't hold it against you.' He looks you up and down and smirks, but doesn’t comment on your appearance.

In return you scan him as well. His hair is mussed just-so and his earrings match too well to be an accident. He’s trying too, even if his devil-may-care attitude would make others think he’s not. Everyone has an image they present to the world, tonight you’ll find if there’s substance behind Tao’s.

You press your tongue between your teeth and tilt your head at him. 'I'm ready to be surprised.'

He barks out a laugh. ‘Fair enough. I’ll see what I can do’

Tao starts to move towards you across the sidewalk, but you hold out a hand at the level of his chest, stopping his movement. 'So, love, huh? There's not some girlfriend or boyfriend of yours waiting for you at home?'

‘I belong only to myself. For now, at least.' He smiles and holds his arms out wide. His brows tug together suddenly. For a moment he looks unsure. Vulnerable. But the look is gone so fast you wonder if you imagined it. ‘What about you?’

You want to fold in on yourself and turn away, hiding. As if the stain of failure is written across your face. The words that were thrown your way like scarlet letters on your skin for him to see. Prude. Uptight. Tease. Your stomach churns and you’re glad you only had the one drink tonight.

‘Single.’ You suck in a breath after you get the word out, like it stole all the air from your lungs in speaking it.

He nods, holding your gaze for a moment. Those eyes of his drink you in and you’re sure he can see it - the hesitation and the fear. But once more he simply stands tall and gives you space to think. ‘Shall we head towards the waterfront?’

A public place, lively and full of people on a Friday night. Safe, reassuring. He didn’t suggest a club or somewhere heavy with expectation and you like him better for it. Tao waves an arm out in front of you, inviting you to go first and you start walking, clutching your purse under your arm.

He falls into step beside you. 'So I guess if we're going big or going home, shall we start with our dating history?'

You should have expected this level of inquisition, especially from someone who is friends with Baekhyun. ‘Jesus, you don’t pull any punches.’ But against your will you let out a laugh.

There’s something refreshing about someone who seems like, for all his mystery, he doesn’t hold any secrets. Everything out in the cool night air and you wonder if it would be freeing, to let it all go. To not question the words you say. To trust that the person you’re speaking them to will hold them without judgement.

‘Never have, never will,’ he reassures you. The cat-like grin on his lips is teasing. ‘That I can guarantee you. I’m happy to go first, if you’d like?’

You nod, and he sighs, looking through the clouds to the moon that peeks through. The streets are dry for once, a brief respite after the wet Seattle spring. Everyone around you takes in the night with gleeful laughter, on the search for music and connection and entertainment. But even with the full sidewalks around you all you feel compelled to do, inexplicably, is lean in closer to hear Tao.

A group of women brush by you, giggling, forcing you into Tao to avoid them. On instinct he reaches out an arm to keep you both from being overrun. You turn into him and end up meeting his eyes. In the night they’re so dark they look almost black, with flashes of light from passing cars.

The moment stretches around you and irrationally you want to stop him before he says anything else. No stories of the people he’s been with or kissed or loved or wrote songs about. Maybe that’s the appeal of one night love stories, you think. The beginning of love is always a lightning bolt. If that’s all it ever is you never have to deal with being knocked on your ass by the resulting thunderstorm.

The women pass and Tao respectfully brings his hand back to his pocket and time carries on. But the look on his face remains as you both start walking towards the Market again.

‘I should say up front, I uhh - I guess that I’ve never been in a relationship. Actually.’ He runs a hand through his hair and winces like he’s ashamed of it. ‘I came close a few times. But it’s just never worked out.’

You open your mouth but aren’t sure what to say. Do you make fun of him for clearly being a playboy, not wanting to be tied down, fitting the stereotype of the rockstar he’s on a path to becoming? Do you play coy, asking him if you might fit the bill? Or do you reassure him?

The latter feels the most natural. ‘You’re young. It’s the nineties. I don’t think it’s unusual to be playing the field right now.’ You lift a shoulder and shrug, the edge of your black denim jacket slipping down your back a bit with the motion. It exposes the skin of your collarbone above the strap of your dress, where your neck meets your chest.

Tao licks his lips and drags his eyes away from your shoulder to meet yours with a nod. ‘That’s true. I guess most of my friends are single. Sehun is. Jongin is. Baekhyun is, for sure. Even if he is in love with your sister.’ Your jaw drops and Tao bites his lip. ‘Shit, I shouldn’t have said anything. Please don’t tell her I -’

He looks genuinely panicked and you laugh, waving a hand. ‘Trust me, she’s in love with him too. They’re both too stubborn to admit it though. So your secret is safe with me.’

Tao sighs, relaxing, and gives you a half smile. ‘Thank you, I appreciate that.’ The neon lights from the bars and clubs along Pike street pass over his face, painting him dozens of bright colors. ‘So, that’s my story. Too busy working and writing lyrics and singing to be tied down. What’s yours?’

‘That’s hardly a story,’ you challenge, raising a brow. ‘More like the cover of a book.’

‘It’s plenty!’ he laughs. ‘I’ve exposed myself as a perpetually single man. I think that tells you tons about me.’ At your pursed lips he continues. ‘Fine. I’ve been chasing music for so long that I have avoided getting serious with anyone, lest it keep me from my dreams of stardom. I crave that intensity between me and an audience when I sing, but I’m afraid to let myself have something real. Something intimate, that expects more of me past one performance. I’m afraid that off-stage I’m more disappointing than on et cetera et cetera.’

He cuts off his rambling monologue, his eyes widening as he stops in his tracks for a moment, like he can’t believe he just said so much. But you stand next to him without judgement. Something about his disarming honesty and expressiveness makes you want to tell him the truth, ugly that it might be.

While you stand on the corner and wait for the light to change you look at the zipper of his leather jacket to avoid his eyes and spit it out. ‘I got dumped six months ago.’ You lift your hands and drop them uselessly to your side.

He tilts his head back in appraisal. Blessedly the teasing is gone from his face. He doesn’t offer sympathy, cloying and patronizing words about how you’ll find someone else. He doesn’t flirt with you, even though that seems to be his nature.

‘I don’t know the circumstances, and you don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to, but all I can say is - it’s his loss.’ He gives you a slight smile, not moving even when the light changes, and you can’t help but return it.

It’s strange that it could be so simple. Perhaps if you do carry on something with Tao you’ll tell him more. But for tonight it can be that easy. The pain and doubt and shame can fade into a pinprick of light heading off into the distance and get swallowed up by the night. Like you can just wipe the slate clean and start over. You inhale a deep breath of cool, salty air and look up at Tao, your smile growing, becoming more genuine and whole.

A lightness fills you and you wind your arm through his, pulling him into the crosswalk just as the last few seconds show on the countdown. He lets you guide him easily and you come to rest on the concrete looking down at the Pike Place Market. The bright neon red sign reflects against the dark night and the inky blue waters of the Bay beyond it. In the twilight ships move back and forth through the port, full of tiny lights of their own.

He drops his hand a little, running over the clothed skin of your arm until he reaches your palm. The contact of his hand on yours makes you jolt. ‘Is this okay?’

Without thinking you nod, twining your fingers with his, savoring the heat as he presses against you. Your ex hated holding hands in public, hated any kind of PDA, calling it childish. But Tao stands by your side, hand in hand, as though it’s the most natural thing in the world.

People mill about you, heading to the endless restaurants and food stands that line the Market. In summer it’s in full bloom, crowded every night, and after a long winter and spring holed up in your apartment it’s disorienting to be out in the world again.

You start walking together, without a plan. It’s far more comfortable than you’d expected, the companionable silence with him. Everyone in your life talks a mile a minute - Baekhyun and your sister, your co-workers at the busy coffee shop, your classmates, hungry for discussion - but Tao seems content to just hold your hand and admire the rows of vendors you pass. The lack of pressure from him eases something that had drawn tight and anxious in your chest over the last few months.

Before you is a maze of stalls. Tables full of tulips in bright yellows and pinks, bouquets wrapped in brown paper, that you stop to smell. Screen printed tee shirts with the Sonics logo or photos of the Space Needle or trendy political puns that Tao points out with a laugh. People sell everything from watercolor paintings to homemade honey to snow globes. As a recent college grad, you’re saving all your money, but everything is still fascinating to look at.

The two of you settle on a kebab place for dinner after a long debate about the merits of the taco cart and the hole-in-the-wall seafood stop. The steam brings the rich smell of meat and vegetables to you. Against your protests to split the bill, Tao insists on buying dinner.

‘If this is an official date I have to follow the guidelines,’ he winks.

You roll your eyes and defiantly go to the next stall to order two Jones sodas from the seller. When you hold them up he laughs and inclines his head. ‘Alright, that’s fair.’

When you’re settled on the narrow rock wall beyond the far edge of the market, balancing Jones sodas on the uneven stones with a warm kebab resting on your knees, he carries on.

'So, poetry. What made you choose that?' He asks around a bite.

After a sip of soda you tilt your head at him. ‘You can't laugh, okay?'

'Why would I laugh?’ His brows furrow like it’s the furthest thing from his mind. ‘I'm a singer, sweetheart. I don't take the arts lightly and anyone who does is an asshole.' He narrows his eyes at you in mock seriousness but the way his mouth fights a smile is endearing.

You snort, liking him yet again without planning on it. ‘I don’t know. I’ve always loved it and sometimes I try to write it. I’ve had some job or another since high school, so I’m confident I can always get a job if I need it but - there’s something so - so delicious about poetry.’ You swallow another drink of your soda and Tao’s eyes flick to the motion of your throat. ‘If I was going to go to college, and our parents kind of insisted on it, I wanted to study something I loved.’

Tao lifts his own soda and clinks it to yours in solidarity. ‘I can respect that. What’s your favorite poem?’

Suddenly shy you turn to set your soda down on the stone beside you, letting your hair fall over your face while you think. It’s not that you don’t know, but that it feels too close, too personal to tell him just yet. ‘That’s very private.’

When you look back to him he holds your gaze for a moment. ‘Hmm. Okay I can respect that. Favorite songs are pretty personal too so I’ll let you hold onto it, for now.’ With a movement as casual as breathing he tucks your hair behind your ear, as though he does it twenty times day, and resumes his eating.

Poems run through your head as you chew, heart racing. You’d thought this was an experiment that would quickly go south. A quick walk to prove that you’re not compatible. A smug ‘I told you so’ to Baekhyun. And then a return to the comfort of your bed to read for the night. You didn’t expect to want him. Words, endless remembered words filter across your consciousness, ones of love and lust and death and the exhilaration of life.

Normally your own creative voice is quiet, too afraid to give permanence to the ideas, the words, that live inside you. But as you watch the gentle night breeze ruffle his dark hair you think you could write some tonight, if you had pen and paper. Instead you shove an enormous bite in your mouth and chew, afraid of the attraction you have to him.

When you’re both done eating he holds his hand out for your trash and you wad up the wrapper and hand it to him along with the empty bottle. He walks over to the trash and dutifully puts the bottles in the recycle, like any good Seattle boy. Dusting off his hands he turns back towards you, approaching slowly and holding out his hands.

After a moment’s hesitation you reach for him, allowing him to help you stand. Continuing the night’s adventure. When you’re on your feet he releases one of your hands, keeping the other one tucked in his as the two of you wind your way back through the crowds. Both of you stop to pat the bronze pig at the crux of the Market for good luck.

He leads the way down the narrow stairs to Post Alley and the line outside the comedy club at its base winds around in a long chain. It’s funny, normally you’d want to know The Plan. Baekhyun calls you anal retentive, but you just consider yourself organized. You like knowing what’s coming. But tonight you consent to following him without knowing the destination. You bite back a smile - it’s exciting and terrifying all at once.

A group of people tries to come up the stairs as you’re going down and you are pressed against the rail, trying not to slip. It definitely isn’t meant to be wide enough for both directions of people at the same time. As if sensing your predicament Tao presses his broad back into the rowdy man behind you, ignoring his grumbles of annoyance, making space so you can descend the last few steps onto the courtyard.

Out front of the Market Theater you thank him and wonder what exactly his plan is. Is he taking you to an improv show? A concert? Drinks? With your hand still in his he gently moves to the left, under the archway and in front of the long gum wall. You raise a brow at him but he merely smiles and shrugs.

‘I didn’t peg you for someone who likes tourist attractions.’

His eyes dance with amusement. ‘Oh yeah? What kind of person did you imagine me to be?’

You purse your lips and try to figure out how to answer him. ‘I’m not sure, actually. Normally I can read people pretty easily, but I can’t pin you down.’

‘Me?’ He presses his hand that holds yours to his chest. ‘Baby, I’m an open book.’

The gum wall around you smells sickly sweet and you can almost taste it on your tongue. Everyone around you is taking polaroids in front of the wall or chewing their own gum in preparation to add to it.

You wonder what the two of you look like from an outsider’s perspective. Tao, tall and imposing with his thick motorcycle boots. You with your white Keds and sweet, checkered dress and headband. It might seem like you’re an odd couple, but the heartbeat in his chest against your hand is strong and underneath it all perhaps you’re not so different.

With a breathy laugh and a roll of your eyes you grip his hand and pull him further along the alley beside the gum walls, towards the water. Nearby one of the many buskers permitted to perform along Pike Place starts signing a loud and heartfelt, if slightly off-key, rendition of ‘Sweet Caroline,’ drawing the cheers of the onlookers.

Away from the crowd in Post Alley you emerge onto a side street a block or so from the water. Tilting your head back you watch as everyone sings along. Tao’s free arm suddenly comes around your waist and dramatically he starts swaying you back and forth, crooning along to the Neil Diamond song far better than the busker. A few other people on the street around you smile or laugh, making their way to the pier up ahead.

Instead of asking him what on earth he’s doing or feeling embarrassed about dancing in the middle of the sidewalk you just cling to him and try to keep up. His voice is rich and soothing, his hand holding you against him is sturdy and comforting. You can’t help but giggle and roll with it, holding onto his jacket and watching his jaw move as he sings.

All too soon the performance back at the Market behind you ends and the last lyrics are drowned out by applause. Tao takes a step back and the night is cold without his warm embrace. You long to step forward and close the distance once more. Instead you brush your hair back and compose yourself.

‘What kind of music do you like to sing?’ you ask as the two of you resume your progress towards the pier.

‘All kinds.’ He shrugs. ‘But mostly love songs.’

‘Really?’ The light before you changes and ahead the aquarium looms in the night. To your left is the Kingdome waits, past the long stretch of the boardwalk. Without waiting for Tao you head that direction, the briny ocean air filling your lungs.

He easily comes to your side. ‘Of course. Everything’s about love I think, when you get down to it.’

‘You weren’t singing love songs when I saw you perform.’

You answer without thinking, remembering the concert a few months ago that you and your sister went to. Baekhyun had invited you both to see Chanyeol’s band - Yeol and the Salty Wolves - and Tao was performing with the opening group.

‘You’ve seen me on stage?’ His proud grin is teasing and playful and damned if you don’t want to kiss him.

‘Yeah. It - my sister dragged me out of the house. She thought getting outside would do me some good.’ You focus on picking off a section of your pink nail polish that’s started to chip. ‘You guys were great. But you were definitely yelling about anarchy, not love.’

The imagine of him in his tank top, wide slits cut under the arms revealing a broad swath of his tanned skin, singing passionately, makes you suddenly very aware of him. Tonight he’s composed, a rebel in street clothes. But that night his face was slicked with sweat from his intensity, red in the cheeks and headbanging along with the crowd and the rest of the band. Even that night, so close after your recent break up, you wanted him. It was a dangerous idea then and it’s a dangerous idea now.

He hums and veers to the right, heading down one of the longer piers. ‘I could argue that anarchy still is love. Love of your beliefs and love of a person or a place or a thing so much that you’re willing to fight for it, to go to war for what you care about.’

To that you don’t argue. ‘That’s true. I guess anything could be love when you get down to it. There’s so many poems about sadness - missing love or rejected love. Anger. Bitterness.’

The wooden boards of the pier below you give a gentle thunk with each heavy step of Tao’s huge boots. Below you the water sloshes against the planks. Now at the end you lean forward, resting your elbows on the railing, before turning back to Tao.

‘I guess this is a day to be debating love,’ you smirk, thinking back to the conversation that got you into this. In the wind off the Bay you shiver.

Like a reflex Tao shrugs out of his jacket and holds it out to you. But you lean over and wave your hand at him. ‘No it’s okay, I’m fine. Please, you don’t have to -’

But he drops it over you anyways, the warm weight of his jacket settling on your shoulders and insulating you from the wind. In his black, long-sleeve shirt he doesn’t even seem cold. With a sigh you pull it more fully onto you and bend upright again, inches from him.

‘Debating love indeed. See I think love and intimacy is made far too complex by a lot of people.’ He slowly rubs his hands together, forearms resting on the railing as he leans over, looking at the waves. ‘I think it comes from knowing someone. Really knowing them. Hopes and fears and memories and all of that. and choosing to be with them. Simple and complicated as that.’

‘Simple as that?’ you gape at him, holding your wind-tousled hair out of the way with one hand so you can look at him. ‘There's no way to truly know someone in one night, though. There's too much nuance for love in such a short time.’ The beating of your heart in your palms when you look at him would argue otherwise and you inhale deeply, trying to keep your center.

‘Hence why I also said complicated. But now we’re debating what love itself means.’ His gaze darts down to your lips before he meets your eyes. ‘I know plenty about you.’

You open your mouth to argue but he carries on. ‘I know you’re stubborn, given the soda earlier and the coat just now. I know you’re practical and competent - I’ve seen you at your job. I know you’re a romantic at heart, you have to be to study poetry, and even if some asshole temporarily doused that fire you look for evidence that love is real everywhere.’

Feeling raw and exposed you try to find anything to say to brush off the way his statements cut to the heart of you. ‘That doesn’t mean you - uhm - that you know me.’

The word you almost said in your haste was love and the thought makes your palms sweat. Irrational. Impossible. Everyone always says your emotions are easy to read, that they’re written all over your face, and you wonder what he sees as he watches you. The moment you said it you could see the slow smile start on his lips. At the very least he knows you’re not arguing with him as much as arguing with yourself, against what you feel.

He leans in closer so that his forehead touches yours, low voice almost a murmur. ‘But I want to know you more. I want to do a lot of things. Does that count?’

‘Count?’ If you wanted to you could press up on your toes and kiss him. The thought is intoxicating and you close your eyes, heaving a breath into your lungs.

After a long moment of thinking and waiting and wondering you finally open them again. Tao looks just as conflicted as you are - his brows tug together and the casual flirtation is gone. He holds himself still before you and something far more serious crosses his face. Though he doesn’t answer with words the look in his eyes telegraphs his feelings for you.

With a sigh he pulls back, reaching to the railing with both hands to steady himself, and you sway in his absence. He looks up at the night sky, at the moon through the clouds, and smiles. The stars peek through here and there. It’s not a cold night, just a breeze across the water to relieve the heat from the long summer day. Distantly a line of poetry comes to you, about being thirsty, parched almost, and wanting to drink him in to quench it.

Rather than indulge the dangerous impulse to touch him again you take off back down the boardwalk. Back to the city and the lights and far away from the closeness of being with him in the dark. The pressure of his thick jacket will have to be enough, for now.

‘So, where do you want to go next?’ You’re impressed you manage to sound steady.

He sticks his hands in his pockets once more and ambles after you, a small smile gracing his lips. ‘I know a place.’

As you make your way along the waterfront he turns the conversation to safer territory. You fill each other in on your jobs - how they started and what you like and don’t like. Co-workers who are dating, friends you have in common at the mall. Notorious customers. Tao has dozens of stories and his laugh is easy, his eyes bright with flirtation now that you’re both on safer ground.

Through the night you meander around the city in a vague Northward direction. Past the Science Center, it’s great white sculptures lit up. Around the Space Needle and the fountain. Another city and the streets would be deserted this late. But here there’s groups of people, laughing and splashing each other at the base of the enormous bowl that forms the center of it. You pass the occasional jogger or couple holding hands, walking home.

The two of you stop to use the restroom and get a drink of water at a 24 hour grocery store. Tao also insists on buying some snacks, chocolate and a bag of chips that you keep in the large pockets of his jacket as you progress to the edges of Lake Union.

It’s easy, being with him. His energy is calm, reassuring. He’s got a wicked and witty sense of humor you wouldn’t have expected and you easily spend half an hour looking out at the boats, making up other, naughtier names for them.

It turns out he likes X-Files just as much as you and your sister do. As you stroll along the Fremont bridge you end up taking his hand once more. The snacks are gone and you can’t resist touching him again. It must be well after midnight, but he doesn’t mention going home. Strangely, you don’t want to either. For someone who’s life has become so habitual you’re surprized you’ve not even spared a thought for your nightly routine of reading in bed with a glass of wine and a candle burning on the windowsill.

There will be other nights for that, but for tonight you let the momentum of the evening carry you along with him. You both decide to skip a visit to the Troll, not wanting to tempt any disasters. The Keds on your feet hold up well and you give a thanks to your past self for not wearing heels or sandals.

Eventually his destination becomes clear. The gates to the park are closed for the night. ‘Gas Works? This is your plan - breaking and entering?’

He nods, biting his lip. ‘Yep. I know a way in. The nighttime view is unbeatable.’

You hold out your hands, gesturing to the enormous PARK HOURS: DAWN TIL DUSK sign.

‘Afraid of being caught?’

You roll your eyes. ‘Yes, actually. I don’t think getting arrested for trespassing would be a great thing for my resume.’

Tao considers before backing towards the edge of the fence with a smirk. ‘Come on. How about a little mischief here ‘upon the honey’d middle of the night’?’

‘You know Keats?’ It leaves you breathless, rooted to the ground. It’s not from your favorite poem, but he is your favorite poet. A good guess or has he been doing his research?

‘Of course. Don’t you?’ Tao teases, folding back a corner of the fence and easing himself through.

You scoff and charge after him. The smug bastard can’t just quote Keats and then run away from you. Once again you want to kiss the proud look off his face, to rattle him the way he seems so capable of rattling you, getting underneath your surface. With a last thought to your reputation you step through after him and a thrill runs down your spine.

The rusted red containers and machines that form the center of the park are tall ghosts in the night, rising from the grass and casting long shadows around you in the distant light from the city. He holds out his hand and you easily catch it, both of you winding your way carefully around the gentle hills to make your way to the view.

You find a suitable spot and sit down on the grass. ‘You’re right,’ you tell him reluctantly.

‘About what?’ Tao sits beside you, linking his hands over his knees. He sits near enough you can feel his thigh pressing against yours. Close, always so close, but not as close as you want him.

‘About this.’ You gesture to the Seattle skyline in front of you.

Sure you’ve been in the daytime, watching the boats sail on Lake Union and the groups of yoga practitioners and families with young kids fill the grassy slopes down to the water. But by night the lights of the city look like a painting. Skyscrapers touching the clouds as the first hints of sun are lightening the horizon.

‘I thought you’d enjoy it.’ He nudges you with his shoulder and smiles at you.

The gentle sounds of the water below is relaxing. Even as you lift your hand to cover a yawn you don’t truly feel tired, like the night and closeness to him could keep you awake forever, if you let them. But even so, dawn is coming and you think back to the reason that you’re both here.

‘So. About that bet?’ Your words are a sigh and somewhere between the late hours and the way his eyes crinkle at the corners when he smiles you don’t second guess the question.

He side eyes you and can’t smother the grin on his face. ‘You mean the one about if we can fall in love in one night?’

‘Yes, that.’ It must be the lack of sleep causing the giddiness you feel, you tell yourself, as you lean back against the grass and cover your face with your hands.

His own hands find yours and you turn to see him on his side next to you. Gently he pulls them down, holding them to his chest, so he can look you in the eyes. ‘Hmm, I don’t know about love, but I feel a whole hell of a lot right now. We never came up with an objective definition of it, anyways.’

You snort. ‘Did you honestly just say ‘objective definition?’’

‘Yes, I think if we’re going to agree here, we need to be on the same page.’ With his intense focus on yours he brushes a kiss against the backs of your hands. ‘If we say love is a feeling, who’s to say that we aren’t in love? If we decide it’s an action then which one is it? A kiss or a commitment or - maybe it’s nothing more complicated than putting words to the way I feel when you look at me?’

The smile blooms across your face and right then you’re tempted to say it’s all of them. How much you want his mouth on yours and his hands all over you. How you’re not quite sure you know how to have a relationship with a man anymore, after your ex, but that you want to try with him. How wild and free you feel being next to him.

‘I don’t know about -’ you whisper. You let the truth fall out, not bothering to think about what it might mean. ‘Long term or after tonight. But I’d say, much that I hate to admit Baekhyun could be right, I’d say… uhm, he could be right.’

You avoid Tao’s eyes, focusing on his jaw or the fabric of his shirt or the way his hands hold yours. But still you see how he smiles, almost glowing in the light of the moon and the barest reflection of the sun coloring the skyline to your left.

He clears his throat, pressing another kiss to your hand. ‘Well, I'd look at it this way. Let's say we do get together. Maybe we last a month or maybe we last for the rest of our lives. Another fifty or sixty years. In either of those cases tonight would be just a fraction of the relationship. A small sliver. Important when looking at the broad view of a life together, but not crucial by itself.’

With a nod you look at him and the heat in his eyes makes you gasp. He moves over you, releasing your hands to brace himself on the ground behind your head. The sturdy press of his body reminds you this isn’t a movie or a dream, it’s something real that’s happening to you. The cool grass sinks into your dress at your back and brushes against your thighs.

'Or.' His hot breath cascades across your lips. 'If all we have is tonight.' Moving himself to the side he runs his nose along your jaw, mouth teasing the skin of your neck with barely there kisses. 'One night would be everything. For all the marbles, as they say.' He pulls back and looks at you with a lopsided grin.

You huff out a breath, blowing your bangs out of your eyes, absently running your hands across his shoulders, along his chest. 'I don't know. I like knowing there's always time for more. Like - what if I was tired tonight or hungry or cranky and I messed it up? The thought of just one night still makes me nervous.’

He kisses your forehead and the words come faster, as if hurried along by the morning. ‘If we're a forever thing, then it's okay, because there will be a thousand more chances to get it right. But just once? How can it be perfect if it's so brief?'

'Well, even if we do get together we'd still only have one first kiss.' He rests on one elbow and uses his free hand to cup your jaw, clearing his throat around the roughness of his voice. 'Do you want to wait or shall we attempt perfection tonight?'

The thought of waiting any longer makes you far sadder and you nod. ‘Screw it - kiss me. Please?’

Instead of answering he simply drops his head, closing the distance and sealing his mouth over yours. He groans at the contact, the sound vibrating in his chest where it rests against yours. You grip his neck, winding your fingers through the strands of his hair and hold on, to ground yourself, between him and the grass as he slowly, hungrily, kisses you.

Your eyes flutter for a moment as he sucks on your lower lip. Behind him the sky is bright, the rays of light spilling through the clouds and rendering him art himself. The arch of his brows, full of emotion. You squeeze your eyes closed and hold him tight, grazing his neck with your nails and sighing into his open mouth. Before you can kiss him again he pulls back, his cheeks flushed and his eyes full of delight.

‘That was pretty damn good.’ He huffs out a laugh, running his tongue along his lower lip like he’s trying to keep the taste of you close. ‘Are you sure you want to risk another one? It could be -’

‘Yes,’ you answer immediately. ‘Again.’

He grins and buries his face in your neck, his hot breath falling on your sensitive skin. ‘I think we’ve found the crucial difference between us.’ At your hum he carries on. ‘I can take one moment and hold onto it forever, perpetually living off the way it felt. You want to have it over and over again. And here I thought you were the poet.’

Rolling onto his back he pulls you on top of him with a squeal as you right yourself, bracing hands on his shoulders for balance. His hand rests against your cheek. ‘But if it helps. I - feel the same way.’

‘Oh.’ To keep your surprise and delight from exploding all over your face you bite your lip. ‘Alright then.’ You trace patterns in the fabric covering his chest.

It’s as simple and as complicated as that, just like he said, hours ago.

As the day rises full and bright with the heat of the sun you do indeed kiss again. Several more times. When you’re both red lipped and thirsty and covered in wrinkled clothes you head back to your apartment by UW. He gives you a piggy back ride when your feet start to hurt and helps you make breakfast with a sleepy smile and runs his fingers over the covers of the numerous books stacked on every surface of your apartment and all the while the feeling in your chest grows, not diminishes.

You hurry through a shower and getting dressed for work while he patiently waits on the couch. His eyes are closed when you emerge, putting your hair back in a ponytail. Leaning against the door frame you watch the gentle rise and fall of his chest. You stifle a yawn and think of how not twelve hours ago you didn’t know what his skin felt like beneath your palms or what he’d be like to kiss or how perfectly your bodies seem to line up.

Tomorrow, or perhaps later tonight, you’ll have to report back to Baekhyun and your sister. Though you still have no idea what you’ll say when he asks if the two of you fell in love in one night, you know that, at the very least, it was the start of something.

You leave Tao a note with instructions to sleep as long as he wants and a spare copy of your keys. He works his own shift tonight at Flanagan’s at two, his last one before he leaves on tour. Reassured that at least you’ll see him once more tonight at the party, before he’s gone for - well, you suppose you didn’t ask the specifics yet. You laugh at the thought and quietly shut the door and sprint down the steps to work.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It’s hardly after nine in the morning when Tao arrives. Far earlier than you were expecting, but you’ve learned that he likes to surprise you. When you see him standing in line you bite your lip, tilting your head and giving him a sleepy smile.

‘A bit early for you, isn’t it?’ You ask, friendly and professional. ‘You look like you had a long night.’

He laughs, shaking his head and resting his palms on the counter. ‘I did indeed. But it’s been over two hours since I last saw you.’

‘Oh yeah? Is that a long time, then?’ you tease him.

He whistles and leans in to whisper so only you can hear. ‘Far too long for someone in love.’

‘Love?’ The word thunders in your chest.

‘Maybe it’s too soon to know,’ he says, not backing up at all. ‘Maybe love is confirmed by time. But what I feel, whatever this is the start of, I’m greatly looking forward to.’

‘Are you sure you want to start this? You’re leaving, like, tomorrow.’ Suddenly in the light of day the reality of the situation makes your stomach flip.

He clutches his chest dramatically. ‘Don’t sound so sad, love. Please. You say that like I won’t come back.’ He reaches for your hand across the counter. ‘At least we'll have tonight. Tonight or forever, right?’

‘Exactly.’ Unable to resist you lift your hand to hold his cheek and kiss him. It was killing you not to and why not? He’s right. If it’s just one more night, you’re going to make it count.

You pull back and fill out his cup, insisting it’s your treat. Before he leaves you hold out the jar of poems. When he reads the line he laughs, holding it out to you.

“And one by one the nights between our separated cities are joined to the night that unites us.”

― Pablo Neruda

#exowritersnet #tao x reader #zitao x reader #tao scenario #tao fanfic #exo x reader #exo au #exo fanfic #exo scenario #exo imagine #exodus mall

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marshmallow-phd · 4 years ago

Text

Heart of Thorns

Genre: Beauty and the Beast!AU, Romace, Angst

Paring: Tao x Reader

Inspired by: These moodboards created by @xui-n-soowillbethedeathofme (x) (x) and my absolute obsession with Beauty and the Beast

Summary: Lost in a forest during a storm, you find shelter in a crumbling castle that had been hidden away for years. The master of the house shut himself away, refusing to engage with the world. Too intrigued and running away from your own fears, you refuse to leave no matter how much he tells you to, wanting to try and find the heart within the beast.

Part One I Part Two I Part Three

The view of the country manor used to bring a smile to your face. In the past, you would take off in a run in order to meet it quicker. Its walls were like widespread arms waiting for you to enter its embrace. The garden outside had been your enchanted forest. The rabbits and deer that occasionally wandered in were your friends.

But the wonders of the home that had once been your shelter were no longer as welcoming as before. You wanted to turn back, to make your way through the thick trees, finding that blasted castle, and demanding answers from Zitao.

Why had he thrown you out? Why had he turned such a sweet moment bitter? You knew now that you could never give your heart to Gao. It had already been stolen by another. And even if you wanted it back, it wasn’t possible. You had left it behind in the forest to forever wander the halls in hope of the man in the mask coming for you.

But he wouldn’t be coming for you. As Mr. Chan brought the carriage to a stop down the road, you hopped down from your seat, careful to keep the hood of your cloak over your head. Mr. Chan stepped down as well. From the other side of the carriage, he pulled out two large bags and handed them to you. Odd. You didn’t remember having that much with you on your first trip.

“Take care, young miss.”

You were a bit shocked. You hadn’t heard Mr. Chan speak very much, especially directly to you. His tone implied a sense of protectiveness, a fatherly affection you wouldn’t have expected from him. There was still an awkwardness as he patted your shoulder and stepped back up into the carriage to ride away in the opposite direction that you would walk, but you were thankful for him, just as you were thankful for Mrs. Chan.

Taking a deep breath, you gripped tightly to the straps the bags, one in each hand, and headed for the house.

You heard Cosette yelling before you saw her.

“(Y/n) is back! She’s here! She’s back!”

By the time you reached the door, it swung open to reveal your entire family trying to squeeze through the limited space. Lu made it through first. He threw his arms around you, giving you the type of hug that you hadn’t received from since you were a child. The embraced caused you to drop the bags and return the affection with equal force. Your father came next as he squeezed between you and Lu to take your face in his hands.

“(Y/n). My (y/n). I thought I would never see you again.” His eyes were glossing over. You hadn’t seen him cry in years – since you were small – and your own heart was breaking for the pain you had put him through. While you were enjoying yourself with Zitao and avoiding the confrontation of your possible engagement, he was falling apart.

“I’m so sorry.” You sniffed back your own tears as you pressed your face into his chest. The hood of your cloak fell to your shoulders, exposing yourself to the cold.

You felt his chest heave with a sigh as he patted the back of your head. “Where did you go?”

“Yes!” Cosette screeched from the doorway. “Where did you go? Why did you run away and leave us to starve!”

You swallowed back a scoff as you stepped back. They would have hardly starved if you hadn’t come back. “I didn’t run away. The storm hit sooner than expected. The carriage fell into a ravine. I don’t know what happened to the driver. The horse wasn’t moving so I tried to get back here, but I passed out.”

“How did you survive?” Lu asked.

“I-” You bit down on your lower lip. For some reason, you were reluctant to share the truth. Would they even believe you? They rolled their eyes at the village stories as much as you had before. Being from the city, stories like that were considered beneath their intelligence. “I was found by an old woman who lives in a cottage in the forest. I was sick for a long time, but she nursed me back to health. It took several weeks before my strength came back.”

“And I’m so glad that you did,” your father smiled at you.

“As am I.”

Your eyes went wide as Gao stepped out of the home. He looked different from the last time you saw him. He stood tall, carrying around this aura of importance. His ivory jacket was lined with golden embroidery. His black hair was pulled back and tied with a matching ribbon. There was something about him that gave the impression he was always ready for his portrait to be painted. You had to stop yourself from taking a step away from him as he approached you, grabbed your hand, and placed a kiss on your fingers. The contact made your skin crawl. It was only pure will power that kept you from yanking your hand away and wiping the kiss away on your skirts. There wasn’t any logic beyond your response. Gao had never been unkind to you or anyone else in your presence. Perhaps it was merely the fact that he had wanted to trade helping your father for you being his wife.

“I’m sorry for worrying you, Gao,” you whispered.

“Let’s get you inside and near a fire,” he replied with a smile.

“Yes, let's get you inside,” your father agreed. He was about to guide you inside when Gao placed his hand on the small of your back and led you inside instead. Lu picked up your bags and followed suit.

Gao sat you down on the couch and motioned for Claudette to add more wood to the fire. You weren’t that cold, but you didn’t protest. Lu disappeared upstairs with your bags before returning and taking a seat next to you. His eyes flickered in an unsure manner towards Gao. Your father took his usual spot in the armchair to your left, leaving the other side of you open for Gao. Cosette did not seem put out by the lack of propriety for her. In fact, she didn’t seem concerned with the conversation at all. She slowly walked around the room, getting closer to the stairs, but you hardly paid attention. Gao’s closeness was taking up your focus.

“Was the old woman kind to you?” Gao clasped a hand around your own. You quickly withdrew your fingers, hiding them in the folds of your skirt so he couldn’t try it again.

“Yes,” you nodded. “She was more than kind.” Mrs. Chan was motherly towards you. She made you laugh and feel comfortable. She also gave you the tools to open your heart to Zitao. She told you of his past. Because of her, you stopped seeing him as a terrifying figure in the shadows and began to discover the human hidden under the mask. You were sure she had a hand in his changed attitude towards you as well.

“You sound almost… sad to have left?” Lu said.

You blinked at your brother. “I-” You swallowed. “I know I will miss her. She’s my friend.”

“Of course, she would be.” Your father smiled at you, but it didn’t reach his eyes.

Gao cleared his throat, bringing the attention back to himself. “(y/n), I know you’ve been through a lot. However, I would like to form-”

“Look! Look at me!”

Cosette came running down the stairs, the force of her hurry causing her hair to flurry behind her. She was dressed in a silver gown with multiple layers, embroidered with green leaves that seemed to dance in the light. Jewels hung from her neck and wrists, sparkling on her fingers, and dangling from her ears. A small circlet sat on top of her head. Where did she get all of that?

As she came to a stop in the living, standing in the middle in the room so all could see her, she sneered in your direction. “Look! Now I can be as flighty and selfish as (y/n)! Her secret lover must be richer than Gao to give her all of this!”

You gaped at her. “What are you talking about?”

“Your bags were filled with more jewels and dresses like this!” Cosette held up her hand and wiggled her fingers. “Admit it. You didn’t get caught in the storm. And you certainly weren’t staying in a cottage, being looked after by an old woman. You went to see your lover! That’s what you were actually doing on all your walks, wasn’t it?”

Everyone was staring at you. Eyes were wide and mouths slightly agape. Your breath quickened. You thought it strange this morning that you were being sent away with two bags, but you were too upset over Zitao’s words to you and throwing you away to try to understand the possible reason. This only added to your confusion. Did Mrs. Chan pack those valuables to give you leverage against the marriage? Or did Zitao have it done since he felt sorry for you? You could feel the tears welling up behind your eyes as the confusion tore at your heart.

“I don’t have a lover,” you contended in a meek voice. You weren’t sure if any of them believed you, especially since you kept your eyes trained down on the floor. Streaks bounced off weakly off the wood in the sunlight. It wasn’t as reflective as when you left. Someone would have to clean it better.

“Then how do you explain the gifts?” Lu was frowning at you, but it was cast over with a look of concern and confusion. He wasn’t accusatory, simply wanting an explanation.

You shrugged. “I can’t.”

Gao stood up from the couch. Hands behind his back, he walked over to the window that overlooked the front garden and stared passed the glass. Perhaps you should have been feeling guilty, wondering what was going through Gao’s mind at the moment. But he was the least of your concern. It was your father’s judgement that worried you the most. Would he believe your half-truths?

Because you didn’t have a “lover”. You had someone who had stolen your heart and then shoved you away. You had fallen in love with Zitao. He had kissed you and made you feel warm but nothing beyond that. It had ended before it had truly begun.

No. You couldn’t accept the goodbye. Not in this way. You wouldn’t accept that he simply didn’t care for you. There were layers to him that you hadn’t reached. You refused to let go. Not yet.

“If (y/n) says that it wasn’t a lover then I believe her,” your father stated. You let out the air you had been holding in your lungs, the tension in your shoulders rolling away. “Perhaps this old woman is the heir of an old family who simply prefers to be away from others and felt pity for you. We can certainly sell some of the wares to keep our income.” His eyes flickered over to Gao’s back, which did not go unnoticed by your sister.

“Sell them?” Cosette scoffed. “And when that runs out, then what? We need you to get back on your feet, Father! Have you be respectable again!”

Knowing exactly what she was implying your father said, “It is still (y/n)’s choice. That has not changed.”

Without prompt, Gao turned swiftly away from the window. “I feel that this is a matter that should be discussed between the family. I’ll go back to the inn. Until tomorrow.” He bowed, hands still behind him, and left.

It was silence for a minute or two. You wanted someone to speak – anyone. Even Cosette’s screaming would be more tolerable than this pressing quiet. You would break it yourself if you had any idea on how to start. Thankfully, your father took charge of that task.

“Have you decided yet, (y/n)? Will you marry Gao?”

No. No, no, no, no.

“I haven’t decided,” you said as you shook your head.

Your father stood from his chair, grunting from the effort. “Well. Gao had said earlier today that he could only stay the remainder of the week. I wouldn’t be surprised if by that time he formally asks you for your hand. I hope you have an answer for him when he does.” He gave you a kiss on the top of your head. “I’m so happy for your return. My heart would have shattered if something had happened to you.”

You watched with your own broken heart as your father ascended the stairs. Cosette stuck her nose in the air and flitted up after him, possibly to go through the rest of your bags.

Lu scooted closer to you. His eyes were narrowed, but not in a suspicious way. He studied you the same way he would study his mathematics when he was still in school. “Are you sure everything is alright? Nothing happened to you in that cottage, did it?”

Your hands were trembling, but thankfully they were still hidden your skirt. You didn’t lie to your family like this. You had always tried to be open and honest, at least with your father and brother. But you couldn’t bring yourself to let out this secret. That castle in the woods was your burden to endure. Until you were able to figure out where each of you stood, that is. If Zitao truly didn’t care for you… then you would marry Gao. If you couldn’t have love, then you would help your family the best you could.

After a few days spent in the house, adjusting to being back in that space and making up the chores that had been neglected in your absence, you decided to take some time out of the house. Gao had been spending time with your brother and sticking close to you. If he felt that you were overworking yourself or doing work that was “below your station”, he would either call Claudette over or finish it himself. It was a gesture that made you smile out of thankfulness, but nothing more. At this moment, though, you wished his “chivalry” would come to a pause. He’d insisted on escorting you to town. The excuse was so he could eye what wares might be for sale in the market, but you had a feeling is to keep an eye on you, to make sure that you really weren’t sneaking off to see a mysterious lover.

Straw basket hanging from the crook of your elbow, you eyed the meat that was sitting out in front of the butcher’s shop. Mrs. Mooney was busy with another customer so you waited patiently to see if you could haggle with her on the price of a few slices that had caught your eye. Though you could have now paid full price for the items, you rather enjoyed the banter that came with the haggling.

Just Mrs. Mooney had finished up with the other customer, a group of young boys no older than nine came running through the streets.

“We saw him! We saw him!”

Mrs. Mooney put her fists on her hips as she eyed the boys. “What are you going on about?”

“The beast who lives in the woods!” one of the sandy haired boys exclaimed. “We saw him!”

“What on earth were you doing that far in the trees?”

“We didn’t mean to,” another pouted. “Our ball kept rolling and we couldn’t catch it! But we saw him! He was riding a giant black horse with a white spot on its head.”

You nearly choked on the air in your throat. That was Zeus. It had to be.

“He must be a vampire!” a different boy gasped. “Half of his face was stark white, and one hand was covered in scars.”

The first boy hit him over the head with his fist. “He can’t be a vampire, the sun’s out!”

“What is this talk of a vampire?” Gao chuckled as he joined the group.

“It’s not a vampire,” Mrs. Mooney said. “It’s the monstrous lord that lives in the forest, terrorizing anyone who gets too close.”

The grip you had on the basket tightened as you clenched on your back teeth. But you couldn’t say anything and possibly give yourself away.

“I haven’t heard of this lord,” Gao commented.

“He doesn’t exist,” you said in a strained voice.

“Yes, he does!” one of the boys argued. “My mum worked in the castle before he threw everyone out! She says his wife didn’t die because of the fire! She says he killed her! She saw the head wound herself!”

The head would? What was he talking about?

Then you remembered Mrs. Chan saying that there had been an argument the night of the fire. Zitao wouldn’t… sure he wasn’t capable of something like that. It had to have been an accident. Or maybe the boy’s mother was mistaken. Witnesses were always exaggerating what they’d seen.

“I wouldn’t be surprised,” Mrs. Mooney sniffed. “That boy did have a temper. I bet she found out that he was still sleeping with other girls, threatened to leave him, and he killed her.”

“What do you mean ‘still sleeping with other girls’?” You couldn’t stop yourself from asking.

Mrs. Mooney sneered. “That boy was no prince charming. He chased skirts from here to the capital. It was a shock for us all when he came back engaged and in love. Perhaps it was all a show.”

You stepped back as if Mrs. Mooney’s story had grown a fist and swung at your stomach. Could that be true? Perhaps you were meanly another “skirt” to pass his time. He was probably bored, and you came falling into his lap like a shiny new toy.

Distracted, you left the stall and wandered down the street.

“(y/n)!” Gao ran after you, bringing you to a stop with his hand on your elbow. “What is it? Is something wrong?”

“No,” you lied. “No, nothing’s wrong. I’m just not a particular fan of Mrs. Mooney’s gossip. That’s all.”

He stared at you in a manner that let you know that he didn’t quite believe you, but he didn’t push. For another half hour or so, he continued to escort you around the market. You hardly paid attention to prices or the quality of the wares; your mind was far away, pondering on what was true and what had been a lie. Gao soon excused himself, saying that he had letters waiting for replies by at the inn. You were thankful when he left, giving you space to be alone.

Your feet knew where they were taking you before your mind was aware. The neighing of the horses caught your attention. If you were to rent one, you could be back before dark – if you found him, that is.

Mr. Seo, who owned the horses, was happy to watch your basket while you took the tan mare. You told him that you wanted to go riding for an hour or so, to feel the wind in your hair before it got too cold. You felt horrible for the story, but if anyone came looking for you, that seemed less suspicious.

You took the roundabout way to the woods, entering through the same space of trees Mr. Chan had brought you out of a few days before. You tried to think back to the path that Mr. Chan had taken to bring you home. The trees all looked the same. Most were bare of leaves, the branches looking like bony fingers pointing you along your way. In the distance, the sound thunder echoed. But there were no clouds in the sky. You followed the sound. The closer you reached, the more recognizable the sound became: horse hooves.

You urged the horse to go faster so the originator of the sound did not outrun you. Then, in the distance, you saw a black shape blurring past the trees. The forest broke. There was the castle.

Stopped in the field halfway between the forest line and the castle, Zitao sat atop Zeus, staring at you. When you were close enough, you brought your borrowed horse to a stop and slipped off the saddle.

“What are you doing here?” he growled down at you. His knuckles were white from how tightly he was gripping the reins. The scars on his left hand stood out even more.

You breathed heavily, suddenly scared as you stood before him. “I have to know why you threw me out.”

“It was time for you to go.”

“That’s a lie. You wouldn’t have-” You stopped. The memory of that night, before the sweet turned sour, sang softly in your head.

But you didn’t need to finish. He knew what you were going to say. “You don’t know what I would and would not have done. I don’t need to explain myself to you. Now go back to your precious fiancé.”

“Did I mean so little to you? Will you really let me go?” You stared intensely, trying to read his features despite the mask giving him perfect cover. He stayed quiet for a moment or two. He kept your gaze steadily. For a make-believe second, you thought that he might ask you to stay. But your instinct was wrong.

“Why would I keep you here?”

He started to turn away. You ran around him to block his path.

“Did all those days really mean nothing to you?”

“Nothing means anything to me. All I want is to go back to my pathetic, peaceful existence in this castle. Alone. Go face your fate. Your family would be better off.” He urged his horse past you. As he galloped towards the stables, you willed for him to look back, to let you know that he didn’t mean the words he’d said.

He never even took a glance.

So, you did as you were told and mounted your horse, vowing never to think about this place again.

When you came back to the house, Gao was there as well. He was sitting at the table with your father and brother.

“I told you she’d be back,” Lu said he clapped Gao on the shoulder. He stood up and came over to you, taking the basket from your hands. “Did you have a nice ride?”

“Yes,” you nodded. “Yes, I did.”

“Good.” That was all he said as he took the basket into the kitchen. And didn’t come back.

Your father cleared his throat before rising from his chair.

Your pulse quickened as you were left alone with Gao. Without any inclination, you knew what was about to happen. The subtly of your family was nonexistent. Even leaving one by one wasn’t enough to cover up their expectations. A coat of cold sweat covered your palms. You wanted to run. You wanted to go to your sanctuary in the woods. But it was clear that you were no longer welcomed there. Should you do as Zitao said? Should you resign yourself to the fate that was in front of you? You had told yourself that you would if he didn’t want you. Now that you were faced with the choice, you found your resolution faltering.

Gao stood up, giving a quick clearing of the throat before taking the necessary steps towards you to close in the gap. His fingers, warm and soft from lack of hard labor, grasped your own. Any other woman would be swooning at the gesture, but you were already tainted with another’s touch.

If you had never gone through the forest, if the storm had never happened and you’d never gone to the castle, would things be different? Would you have come to love Gao? Or at least accept his love with mild interest? There was no telling of what might have been, only of what was in your heart now. The pieces left behind were marked with fingers that danced across ivory keys. They only saw one pair of dark brown eyes that couldn’t be eclipsed by the lighter shade looking at you now. But the owner of said eyes and fingers had thrown you away, had made it clear that you had not touched him in the same way. And then there were still the secrets of his past. Was he truly a murder?

No, you didn’t want to believe that.

“(y/n)?”

Slightly startled at how far away your mind had gotten, you returned your focus to the matter in front of you. “Yes?”

“I’m not sure if there is any hope in the question I want to ask.” Gao’s voice was soft, comforting, but there was something underneath it that made you question its sincerity. “We’ve known each other a long and I’ve always thought of you as someone special, someone to be cared for. If you would be so willing, I would like to be that person to take care of you.”

You stayed silent. Even now you weren’t sure as to which answer you were going to give. Would you stay firmly in one spot, hoping that he would come for you again? Or did you move forward, taking the necessary steps to go on?

“What I’m trying to ask,” Gao shifted his weight to allow himself to kneel before you, still gripping your fingers, “is if you would do me the honor of giving me your hand in marriage?”

Everything stopped. Nothing existed anymore. Not you, not Gao, not even language or time. If you could stay in that non-existence than maybe you could be moderately content. But you were a woman. A woman whose father had fallen into ruin, whose love had scorned her, and who’s family was falling apart. How you wished you could be selfish like Cosette. What a life that must be, to be able to one’s self first. But that was not who you were. In truth, was there really any another answer? Yes, you loved another, but love and marriage were not always intertwined.

You let out that single word quickly before you could think about it anymore. If given even a second longer, you would have changed your mind and ran away.

“Yes.”

You were going home.

Not your true home. The mansion with too many rooms and wonderful hiding spots had been sold off long ago. But you were going back to the city. It was the “proper place for Gao’s fiancé”. You must be reintroduced into society, your status now elevated.

It was hard to say goodbye. You would miss the space this home provided. You would miss the trees that outlined the town and the people who greeted you every time you went to market. The people here were friendlier than in the city. No longer would you go fetch the groceries yourself when Claudette was too busy to do so. You would be back to being waited on hand and foot. You didn’t want to go. But Gao had already sent out the invitations to the engagement party in a week’s time and all the important people of society would be there to watch him parade you around the ballroom rented for the occasion. His own home wasn’t big enough to hold such a party. Yet. Gao had already told you he planned on moving to a bigger house after the wedding.

Hood pulled over your head, you stepped towards the door of the carriage that was to transport you back to the city. Before Gao could help you up inside, you spotted a figure rushing down the dirt path. Your heart jumped in your chest.

Mrs. Chan.

Gathering your dress in your hands, you ran towards her, the hood falling from your head. As soon as she was within reach, you pulled her into your embrace. You hadn’t seen her since you left the castle. Tears trickled down your cheeks. As if nothing had changed, she tutted at you.

“Now, don’t be like that dear. You’ll swelled your beautiful eyes.” Mrs. Chan leaned back and wiped the tears away with her handkerchief. “There. That’s better. You didn’t think I would let you leave without saying goodbye, now did you?”

You couldn’t say either way. You hadn’t wanted to give yourself a chance to hope and then be heartbroken when it didn’t happen.

“I have to say, though, I am surprised at how things have turned out.”

“I didn’t want them to go this way,” you confessed. “I had hoped-” No. Best not to voice that out loud.

Mrs. Chan fixed the hood back onto your crown in her motherly way. “I know, dear, but the thing about hope, it never really dies or goes away. The smallest of embers can ignite it once again.”

You wanted to believe that. It was hard, though. Too much water had been poured on your fire. You pulled Mrs. Chan into another hug. “I’ll miss you.”

“Take care, dear. And don’t forget how strong you are.” She left you with one last pat on the cheek and then turned you around so you would go back to the carriage.

“Who was that?” Gao asked when you returned.

“A friend from the village,” you replied, your eyes on Mrs. Chan’s retreating back.

Gao simply nodded in reply before helping you into the carriage. It was stuffy inside with your family and Gao crowded amongst the seats. Your stomach flipped and churned with every bump. No storm was coming this time, so the driver took the main road, avoiding the forest. By sundown, you had made it the inn that was supposed to be your shelter on the last trip. Cosette filled the silence of your rented room with her talk of parties and what store she wanted to buy a new dress from as soon as you all arrived back in “civilization”. There was even a comment of having one of the dresses from your bags altered to fit with the modern fashion. You wanted to scream at her not to touch them, but the fight inside you was hard to find. Instead, you simply turned your back to her as you lied in the bed and blew out the candle to diminish the small amount of light she could see by.

The family settled into Gao’s two-story house with little difficulty. The servants fulfilled their wishes and took their orders. Most were familiar with your brother already, having been employed by Gao’s family for decades. You still tried to do things for yourself, like tending to the fire in whatever room you were occupying or collecting your laundry. The work was quickly snatched from your hands as soon as one of the servants saw what you were doing.

The head housekeeper, Mrs. Danvers, was determined to mold you into the madam of the home. She would come to you with the preparations for dinner, for approval on new curtains for certain rooms, and for anything else she thought you should be informed of or have the final say on. Most of these things you saw as frivolous. She always approached you with the most uptight manners and wouldn’t leave until you made a firm decision.

You hated it here. How many times a day were you questioning your decision? How many different excuses had you come up with to break off the engagement? How many times had you considered running away?

The one thing that stopped you from following through on any of those ideas: your father. He was working again, already. His clientele was back, just as Gao had promised. You hadn’t seen your father smile like this in so long that you couldn’t bare to be the one who made it disappear again.

The day of the party arrived. All day you felt nauseous. Cosette flitted around your room, talking sweetly about the eligible bachelors who had been invited and how much missed dancing properly and not having to suffer through the less formal country dances. You sat perfectly still as one of the servant girls, Mei, pinned back your hair and colored your lips. You didn’t want to dance tonight. The dress you were to wear may have been a golden yellow – the color of happiness – but you felt more like a dark cloud in the night sky. You didn’t want to stand up in front of all those people and pretend to be happy. But you would do it. For your father.

Gao was beaming the entire ride to the ballroom. It was located near the center of the city, grand enough for the king and large enough to hold a hundred guests. You were thankful for the gloves that encased your hands as Gao escorted you inside. You didn’t want to feel his skin on yours.

Dozens upon dozens of people milled about the grand ballroom, drinks in hand as they laughed through shallow conversations. Some faces you recognized. Most you didn’t. Gao would stop at every other group or so and introduce you. None of the names stuck and the unknown faces were nothing more than blurs. When you finally reached the main center, Gao snatched two glasses of wine from a passing server, handing one to you before calling for the talking to cease.

“I would like to thank each and every one of you for coming out to celebrate my approaching marriage,” Gao said loudly as he held his glass high in the in air. The singularity was not missed. Did he forget that two people were involved in this engagement? You barely paid attention to his words, focusing on keeping the smile on your face. A tall figure moving in the back of the room caught your eye, but it disappeared before you could make out who it might be. “This has been a long time coming for me. Watching (y/n) grow into the beautiful young woman she is today was a privilege that I am honored to have been given. I know she will only grow more beautiful in our life together. To (y/n).”

“To (y/n)!” The room echoed. Glasses moved stem side up as the toast was declared finished and the band in the corner struck up a song.

Gao finished his drink as well before pulling you on to the dance floor, not even giving you chance to protest. He whirled you around the polished floor like a prized cow. You didn’t bother with the charade of a smile anymore. It was a relief when the first song faded to a close and Gao let you go. He said something about needing to conduct some business and walked away. You finally felt like you could breathe.

“One shouldn’t leave their fiancé alone on a night like this.”

You gasped as you whirled around. It can’t be. It wasn’t possible for him to be standing here, right now in front of you. But he was here, more elegantly dressed than of the other gentlemen with his blue velvet coat, his white mask shining in the candlelight. Without any explanation, he held his hand out to you. There was no hesitancy in taking it, even if you should have been more cautious.

He was here. Your mind kept repeating that over and over. He was here, he was here, he was here.

Zitao pulled you in close, his hand secured in the curvature of your waist. The other hand cradled your right as your left hand rested comfortably on his shoulder. With the grace of a ballet performer, he glided around the dance floor, making up for any misstep you might take. Now you wore a genuine smile. How could you not when he had come? But even in your joy, the obvious could not be overlooked.

“What are you doing here?” you whispered.

He did not wear the same smile as you. “I… I had to come see you.”

Your heart leapt at that answer. “Why?”

“You’re a hard person to forget.”

At that simple statement your throat closed in. Tears would have burst forth if you hadn’t fought to hold them back. Oh, how you wanted to wrap yourself up in his arms.

“You make no sense,” you said with a shake of your head. “You throw me out, yet send me home with lavish gifts. Then I’m told that you used to chase after women like a hunting dog after birds. Was I just another plaything to you? See if we could get the poor destitute girl before she has to go back to her miserable life?”

“No!” Zitao snapped. A quick glance around and then he lowered his voice, “I will admit that I wasn’t the most respectable person in the past. But I’m not person anymore. And you were never a game. You have always been more.”

You weren’t sure why, but you believed him.

“Why didn’t you come or me sooner?” you questioned. Sooner? Why didn’t he take you away that day in the forest?

“I thought you knew how stubborn I was already?” he said with a half-smile. It faded just as quickly as it had come. “I was content in being alone. I thought it was better for me. You can’t get hurt if you don’t let anyone in.”

“But you can’t live like that,” you urged. “Everyone gets hurt. Besides, you have let people in. Mrs. Chan cares about you like her own son.”

He sighed, the air contorting to a laugh near the end. “She said as much. But you must understand. The last time… the last time I felt this way, I was left broken, a monster—”

“You’re not a monster. This,” you bobbed the hand that he held up and down so he would know what you were referring to, “is nothing more than a scar. It doesn’t make you who you are.” But it did come with a past. “That night of the fire… did you kill her?”

Zitao’s Adam’s apple shuddered as he swallowed thickly. Fear was evident in his eyes.

“Yes,” he whispered. “I did.”

Your feet stopped moving. No. You didn’t want to believe it. He was just trying to push you away again. “Zitao—”

“And who exactly invited you.”

Unbeknownst to you, the music had stopped and all who were gathered in the ballroom were circled around you. Gao had cut through the crowd and now stood behind Zitao, his shoulders pushed back in an intimidating manner. He wouldn’t know that such a tactic wouldn’t work. Letting you go, Zitao turned on the balls of his feet, lacing his hands behind his back. He looked more like a powerful lord in this moment than you’d ever witnessed.

“No one in particular invited me,” Zitao said regally. “But as I’m the one who is going to steal away your fiancé, I thought an appearance was necessary.”

“You?” Gao sneered. “And who exactly do you think you are to attempt such a thing?”

“I am Lord Huang.”

“Lord Huang?” A pause. Then Gao laughed. “Ah. I’ve heard of you. From the dimwitted villagers who fear you. Aren’t you supposed to be some sort of vampire or hideous beast?”

“Countryside rumors are usually exaggerated.”

“Are you sure? Why else would you be wearing a mask like that if not to contain the beast?”

Zitao growled. “It is none of your business.”

“Come on, beast, show us what you’re hiding.”

You stepped around Zitao protectively. “Gao, stop it.”

“No, I don’t’ think I will,” Gao said mockingly. “This man is trying to ruin our party. The least he could do is give us some entertainment.”

“Gao, I said stop—"

Before you could finish, the mask covering Zitao’s scars was snatched off his head. Cosette had snuck up from behind and taken the chance to remove the mask. Zitao scrambled to cover his face. Gao laughed at the humiliation, showing you exactly who he was. Zitao ran from the room. Cosette enjoyed the moment, her eyes shining from the laughter she held inside. Taking the mask from her, you started after Zitao, but Gao caught you by your upper arm.

“Where are you going?”

You refused to answer. You stomped on his foot to make him let go and ran out the door. “Zitao! Zitao!” It was too late. He had already mounted his horse and was getting smaller as he raced down the cobbled road away from the ballroom.

“(y/n)!”

Your father and brother dashed out of the building. To no one’s surprise, Cosette was not to be seen. She was probably hiding, feigning shame from the scene you’d dare to cause in front of some poor sap who was falling for it. Lu stepped next to you, hand on your shoulder. “(y/n)?”

“I want to go home.”

Lu looked to your father, who simply nodded. You were led into their carriage and left the party. No questions were asked, for which you were thankful. You couldn’t do it. Even for your father. You loved Zitao. That wouldn’t change. Besides, after that display, you couldn’t be tied to a man like Gao.

Back at his home, you didn’t go to your room. That might have been the safest place to be, the one area Gao wouldn’t storm into because it belonged to him. No, instead you stayed bravely in the living room. You sat on the couch, hands resting in your lap, as you waited for Gao to return. It took almost an hour, but when he did finally come through the door, you knew that amount of time wasn’t enough to calm him down.

“How dare you humiliate me like that!”

“I didn’t humiliate you,” you said firmly. You looked him directly in the eye so he wouldn’t think that you were going to cower before him. “You did that to yourself.”

“You were carousing with another man!”

“I was dancing with him, nothing else. There was music and other couples. You had left me, so I danced with him.”

“It was him, wasn’t it?” You weren’t even surprised that Gao had put the pieces together. You would think him rather stupid if he hadn’t. Gao stalked towards you. “There was no old woman in a cottage, was there? Cosette was right when she said you had a lover. And here we all thought you were an innocent flower. You are no more than a weed in disguise.”

“And you are as beastly as you claimed Zitao to be!”

Infuriated by your words, Gao reached his hand back, palm flat, to strike. You closed your eyes to brace for the hit. It never came. Opening your eyes, you saw that Lu had intervened, catching Gao’s wrist before he could swing.

“You will not lay a hand on my sister,” Lu commanded through clenched teeth. He didn’t let go until Gao finally wretched his arm away.

“She is still my fiancé!”

“No, I am not.” You yanked the ring that had been drowning you like an anchor at sea off your finger and tossed it so it landed on the floor at Gao’s feet. It clanged and rattled as if angry at the abandonment. “You’re right. I do love him. And as long as he exists, I won’t ever marry you.”

“We will be out of your house by the end of the week,” your father stated from the hallway. You hadn’t realized that he was there. You hoped he hadn’t been witness to all that had transpired.

Gao marched out of the room, muttering under his breath. Lu gave you a look of pity before exiting on his own. Your father continued to stand there for another minute or two. Several times he opened his mouth, but each time he left the words inside. Eventually, he too left you alone.

You couldn’t stay here. You needed to get to Zitao.

You waited a few more hours until you were sure most of the inhabitants were asleep. Then, as quietly as you could, you changed into clothes more fit for a long journey and slipped out the front door. You were sure that Zitao would not stay in town. If he did, well he would just have to be surprised at your appearance at the castle. Mrs. Chan would let you in if need be. You paid for a horse and headed out. Towards your real home.

All night you rode, even when your eyes began to droop, you forced yourself to stay awake, slapping your cheek if needed. You had to put as much space between you and your family. Between you and Gao. When you came to the same small village as the inn that you stayed at, you didn’t stop too long to rest. It was already midday by that time. You switched out horses and ate a quick meal before starting again. You were too determined to be slowed down. It was dark once again when you reached the country manor. Close to midnight if you had to guess. Going into the forest at this time would be reckless. You needed to get to Zitao, but you didn’t want to die in the process. It could wait until morning. You still had a whole day on your family. You tied the horse up near a pile of hay outside then went through the back door that had been kept unlocked. The memory in your feet carried you up the stairs to your room. You didn’t even bother pulling back the sheets. As your head hit the dust-covered pillow you fell asleep.

When your eyes opened, it was still dark. Odd. You felt well rested – more than rested. Leaving the room, you went down the stairs to the living room, where a small clock still sat on the mantle of the fireplace. It read that it was eight o’clock. How?

No. Could you really have slept throughout the entire day? That was what you got for not resting during your trip.

Bang! Bang! Bang! “(Y/n)! (Y/n) are you in there!”

Mrs. Chan?

You rushed to the door to see the old woman looking terrified, her hair falling out in bits from underneath her bonnet.

“Oh, thank goodness!” She threw her arms around you before pulling back and grabbing your hand. “Come! You must come quickly!”

“What is it? What’s wrong?” Pure fear ran cold through your veins. Was Zitao planning on hurting himself?

“Your fiancé arrived earlier today and started spouting nonsense around town. He started saying that Lord Huang had kidnapped you and that he would kill you like he killed his wife. I knew you weren’t at the castle so I hoped and prayed that you would be here. Your fiancé has convinced the villagers to go after Lord Huang. I’m afraid that they might kill him!”

“What?” What madness was this? Only one thing still gave you hope. “But they can’t find the castle, can they?”

“A few of the previous servants still know the way. Hurry, we don’t have much time!” Mrs. Chan scrambled into the open carriage. That would be too slow if you both rode in it. Hopping on to the other horse, you yelled at Mrs. Chan that you were going ahead. You knew the way now and you had to get to him as quickly as humanly possible. Branches and twigs pulled at your sleeves to slow you down as you galloped though the forest. You batted as many as you could away. Nothing could get in your way.

As the trees broke through to the field, you saw them. A mob of torches and pitch forks breaking through the front doors as they yelled in victory. You pushed the horse faster, up the stairs and through the doors. The villagers had surrounded Zitao in the front hall, shouting curses at him and calling him a murderer as others threw rocks at him as he sat on the ground, taking it.

“Leave him alone!”

Some of the villagers gasped in surprise. You jumped down from the horse and shoved them aside until you reached Zitao. You pushed his hair from his face. He didn’t seem badly injured. A drop of blood ran down his face, but it didn’t look dire. “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine,” he grunted as he tried to push away. “Get out of here. Before you get hurt.”

“No!” You sprang to your feet and stared the villagers all down. “You come in here, unprovoked, and call him a monster! The only monsters I see here are you for believing a man like that!” You point to Gao who showed no remorse for his actions.

“He kidnapped you!” a man from the circle yelled.

“No, he didn’t! I left the city of my own accord!”

“He killed his wife!” another argued.

“That is a lie!” The circle parted again as Mrs. Chan came into view. A fury burned in her eyes. “I was there that night. He didn’t kill her. If you have evidence against my word, then get the constable involved. But I will swear in court that he didn’t do it.”

No one could argue with a declaration like that. Murmurs began to ripple through the crowd. Glances were exchanged. Then mumble apologies as the villagers lost their fight. In groups of two or three, they began to head towards the door. Letting out a slight groan, Zitao tried to push himself up. You let him lean on you as he made it the rest of the way.

“Where are you going?” Gao shouted at the villagers’ backs. “He’s a monster! A beast! Just look at him! He’ll ruin your village! What about those he cast out? Left jobless through his cruelty? Are you all cowards?” No one even turned to look at him. Furious, Gao turned to the two of you. His eyes were full of hatred. “You will regret this.” He leveled his gun. Aimed at you.

“No!”

Zitao jumped in front of you right as the gun went off. He fell to the ground as he clung to his side. Blood seeped through his fingers. Gao ran off. The real coward.

“No, no, no. Please, no.” You dropped to your knees and forced Zitao’s hands away from the wound. There was so much blood that you couldn’t see how bad it was. Your hands were covered in seconds. Zitao was already beginning to sway back and forth from the loss. Mrs. Chan was by your side in an instant.

“We need to get him into bed so I can see to his wound.”

“Just let it go,” Zitao groaned. “Maybe it’s better this way.”

“Shut up!” you snapped at him. “Don’t talk like that. Now get up.”

Zitao stared at you for a beat before nodding and letting you get him to his feet. Mrs. Chan helped you get him up the stairs and to his room where he lied down on top of the blankets. He protested when Mrs. Chan cut away at his shirt, but a slap of her hand shut him right up.

“Bring me the pitcher,” Mrs. Chan ordered of you. Without thinking twice, you ran to the dresser and brought the pitcher to her. With a clean cloth in her hand, Mrs. Chan washed the wound to get a better look. She let out a sigh of relief. “It only grazed his side. He should be alright. As long as we get it closed and it doesn’t become infected.”

You weren’t sure if you could believe her. Zitao had drifted off, his eyes closed, completely still. Only his chest moving up and down as his lungs filled with air gave you hope. Mrs. Chan stood up and left the room. She came back with a needle and thread in her hand. She didn’t flinch as she pierced his side to stitch the wound closed. Zitao whimpered at the sharp pain. You moved to sit by his head and grabbed his hand. You kissed the back of his fingers in comfort. When Mrs. Chan was finished, she stood up and sighed.

“He’ll be alright. The wound is closed and wasn’t too severe. He’ll have a scar, but at this point….” She shrugged. With her hand crusted with dried blood, she brushed the hair off Zitao’s forehead. “The poor dear.” Then, she left.

Feeling brave and unwilling to leave him in case something else were to happen, you shifted so you were now laying down next to Zitao. He was more peaceful now; his face smooth, no longer revealing discomfort or pain. You rested your chin on his shoulder. With the tip of your finger, you traced the outline of his mask, down his nose to his chin. Then you sat up and let go of his hand to untie the mask. Zitao didn’t move as you pulled the covering from his face and set it down on the nightstand. You kissed his cheek before settling back down and falling asleep yourself.

You woke to a slight tickling sensation on your cheek. Letting your eyelids flutter open, you let out a slight laugh when you saw Zitao awake. He was smiling at you as well while caressing your skin. He hadn’t replaced the mask, letting you see the light, protruding scars on his cheek and forehead.

“Good morning,” he greeted softly.

“You’re alright.”

He nodded. A small tear fell down your cheek. With his thumb, he wiped it away.

Slowly, as if scared you might run away, he leaned in, his eyes drifting down to your lips. At first, the contact was so soft you thought that perhaps he hadn’t kissed you at all. But as the pressure grew, your eyes closed again, and you entangled your fingers in his hair. You were losing yourself in the kiss, happy that he was alive and that you were with him. But his confession at the party pushed itself to the forefront of your mind. You broke off the kiss. Sitting up, you turned away from him.

“What is it?” Zitao asked. “Did I do something wrong?”

You looked at him over your shoulder. “If I ask you a question, will you answer it honestly? Please?”

He reached out and grabbed your hand, bring it to his chest. “I swear.”

You turned to face him fully. As gently as you could, you placed your fingertips on his scar. He didn’t flinch back. “What happened that night? You said you killed her. But I don’t believe that.”

Zitao cringed as if in pain. He looked off to the side before coming back to you.

“I loved her. I swear I did. And I thought she loved me, too. But I was wrong.” He lowered the hand that held on to your fingers, keeping his focus there. “Soon after we were married, I found out that she had a lover, that she didn’t have any feelings for me. I told her I was going to put in a petition for divorce, that I was going to throw her out. That night, she slipped a sleeping potion into my wine at dinner, but I was too upset to drink it all. It didn’t matter. The servants who saw me thought I was drunk as I stumbled to our room. I woke up before she was expecting. Her lover was there, helping her start a fire. I’m sure they were thinking of killing me so she would inherit everything.”

He took a deep breath. You squeezed his hand to let him know that he hadn’t lost you.

“I fought with the man, trying to stop him from ruining my home. My wife tried to get between us, but… one of us – I don’t know who – shoved her away hard enough that she hit her head on the sharp edge of a dresser, falling to the ground. I called out her name. When I was distracted, the man hit me with something hard, knocking me out. I didn’t come to until the fire was put out. The fire had made it over to me. My left side was wrapped in bandages. The man was gone and my wife was dead.”

He didn’t kill her. You knew that in your heart. He didn’t maliciously set out for her to die. He was only protecting himself, his family’s legacy.

You threw your arms around him. “It wasn’t your fault.”

“I could have been the one who pushed her.”

Leaning back, you repeated, “It wasn’t your fault.” The memory of that final night came back to you. “Is that why you made me leave? Did you think you would hurt me?”

Zitao shook his head. “No. I was scared you might hurt me. When you whispered my name, I heard her again. I couldn’t go through that. I couldn’t risk being used like that again.” His eyes finally raised back up to meet yours. He caressed your cheek with his knuckles, the gesture absent of fear. “But you’re not her. It took me too long to realize that. (Y/n), can you forgive me for being so stupid?”

“Of course,” you said between your tears. “Of course, I can. I love you, Zitao.”

Happiness could not be enough to describe the elation shining from his smile. Encapsulating your face in his hands, he pulled you forward and captured your lips again. He kissed you deeply, wrapping his arms around you until you were pressed tightly against his chest. He ended it only to ask a single question.

“Will you marry me?”

You barely gave a nod before he resumed the kiss.

It was a beautiful day for an outdoor wedding day. The sky was a soft baby blue. A few puffs of white clouds floated through, but nothing gave you worry about rain. It wasn’t too hot or too cold and only a slight breeze interrupted the festivities every once in a while. The guests ran around the field, laughing and playing while you sat in a chair, a veil draped around your shoulders.

“You look beautiful.” Your father beamed with pride as he kissed the top of your head.

“Thank you.” Your face was aching from all the smiling, but you couldn’t stop. Happiness of this level couldn’t be contained or controlled. It needed to be shared.

Lu was standing a few feet away, talking to a baron who had been friends with Zitao’s father. Sitting in a chair with her signature fan in her hand, Cosette wore a snarl on her face. She was probably thinking about how hard it would be to outdo you in marrying a lord. Not that you cared. She would be taken care of, far away from here. Speaking of your husband, he came walking back up with a glass of wine in his hand after making the rounds of thanking guests.

“You will take care of her?” your father asked Zitao for the hundredth time. Your husband took it with stride, beaming in the sunlight.

“Of course,” he answered. “For the rest of my life.” Putting the drink down, he held a hand out to you, but kept his attention on your father. “May I steal her for a moment?”

“Yes, yes,” your father chuckled. “It’s your wedding day after all.”

Zitao tugged you to your feet and led you away from the festivities. He kept going until you were no longer insight of the others. The lone gazebo that sat near the lake on the grounds came closer. Within its walls, no one would be able to find you.

“Finally, I have you alone again.”

You laughed. “You will have me alone for a very long in the future. It’s rude to leave our guests in the middle of the reception.”

“I don’t care if it’s rude,” Zitao stated. You knew he really didn’t care. And ou couldn’t quite find it in yourself to care either. “Dance with me.”

“What?” You looked around but didn’t see a hidden band. “There’s no music.”

“Yes, there is. You are the music.”

You wanted to laugh at his sentimental statement. However, the way he said it melted your heart. So, you gave in, letting him pull you in and rock you back and forth across the wooden floor of the gazebo. He kept his eyes on you, never faltering for a second.

“I love you,” he said suddenly. He’d said it before but your heart still soared whenever you heard that phrase fall from his lips.

“I love you, too.” And you would make sure that he knew it, every day for the rest of your lives. He might not have had the fairy tale ending the first time around, but you were selfishly thankful. Because it gave way for you to meet him and heal his heart. And so, the two of you would live happily ever after.

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itstheoneshot · 3 years ago

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December 23: Traditions - Zitao

Zitao always spoiled you, all year round, but especially so during the holiday season. You loved all of the gifts he would buy, but there is one that you looked forward to more than others.

It was one that you chose together, now six years into your relationship, it was tradition to go together to the store, and you were given the freedom to buy one toy, with Zitao’s approval and agreement though, of course.

“Daddy…” You ask timidly, “What do you think of this one?”

Zitao looks down at your hands, where you hold the black silk rope. You had noticed his keen interest lately, in binding you, in keeping you still as he fucked you. Your wrists easily grew sore whenever he tied you with his belt, which had become more frequent as of late, so you figured that a safer, more comfortable option would be best for the both of you.

“It’s perfect, baobei,” He replies, “The black will look so striking against your bare skin, too.”

You lean into him as he leads you to the counter, he purchases the rope, and the shop assistant hands it over in an unmarked bag once the payment goes through.

When you buckle your seatbelt up, you turn your head to face Zitao as he starts up the car, revving the engine a couple of times, because of course he does.

“We need to go straight home,” You tell him, “You still have one more gift… You might need to wrap it, or tie it up.”

Zitao tilts his head to the side, clearly missing the undertone of your words, so you continue, not wanting to make him wait.

“It’s me, Daddy,” You go on, “I’m sure you’ll have fun playing with me, too.”

———

31 Days of Ficmas Masterlist

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kwanisms · 2 years ago

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Focus on Me — h.zitao

«« previous | soloist masterlist

➮ dom!Tao × brat!Reader

wc: 9.4k (I have no shame. I blame you anya)

summary: After you spent the last two years regretting your decision to turn down Tao's offer in Shanghai, the universe has graciously chosen to give you a second chance when he shows up at your friend's wedding. The question is, will you take it?

genres/themes/au: angst, smut, fluff; strangers to lovers, mature themes; non idol au, ceo au

warnings: adult dialogue, female reader, alcohol consumption, sexual content (18+ mdni), see smut warnings under the cut!

permanent taglist: @yoonguurt @wonderfulshinee @candidupped @dejavernon @violagoth @tigermoonbiss @katsukis1wife @luvsooby @thesolarplanetarysystem @salty-for-suga @devilsmatches @dmnspiit

exo taglist: @cixrosie @anyamaris @briannabk22 @is4b3ll3s @plants-w0rld

special tags: @wooyoungmybelovedhusband @kpop-stories-21 @stardragongalaxy

join my taglists: permanent | group

a/n: I don't really have much to say about this except that Anya made me do it with a little encouragement from Aera and Sar lol this is the last part though. I'm not doing anymore for this series lol with that being said, thank you so much for reading and as always, this is a work of fiction and all characters are not reflective of their respective irl counterparts. for entertainment purposes only. banner made by me. I do not allow reposts or translations of my works. All my works are ©️ kwanisms.

smut warnings: oral (f receiving, m receiving), facefucking (f receiving), unprotected sex (wrap it before you tap it!), dom!Tao (and he's got a big dick still), brat!Reader, edging (f receiving), choking kink, impact play (light slapping - f receiving, heavy spanking - f receiving), dirty talk, punishment (f receiving), praise, use of pet names (baby, baby girl, pretty girl, sweetheart, princess, kitten, slut), creampie, definitive daddy kink, dacryphilia, I think I got everything but as always, if I missed anything, please let me know!

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“Y/N!!”

Turning on your heel, you hurried back to the small hallway where Bai was hiding behind a wall, pacing quickly while hyperventilating while Gwen held her bouquet. You glanced at your other friend who shook her head. “I have no idea,” Gwen said, holding her hands and both hers and Bai’s bouquets up.

You walked over, taking Bai’s hands in your hands. “Talk to me,” you whispered, forcing her to stop pacing. “What’s going on?”

Bai let out a long sigh before she launched into explanation. Most of it, from what you could discern, stemmed from her insecurities and the fear of being left at the altar. That was an easy fix.

“There’s a major chance that Jun is going to get cold feet,” Bai said tearfully. You offered her a kind smile. “He’s already at the altar waiting for you, girl,” you replied, giving her hands a gentle squeeze.

Bai looked up, meeting your gaze. “Really?” You nodded in response. “I just saw him before I came back here.” Bai smiled, relief flooding her features. She turned to look at Gwen. “I’m sorry for worrying you,” she said, taking her bouquet from the blonde.

Gwen shook her head, wrapping an arm around Bai's shoulders. “What are friends for if not to stand by you on the best day of your life while you have a panic attack?” Gwen asked, making Bai burst into laughter. You pulled out a small white handkerchief and carefully dabbed at Bai's eyes so as to not ruin her makeup.

“Come on,” you said, handing the handkerchief to your friend.

“You’ve got a man to marry!”

Tao glanced up from his watch as his driver pulled onto the street, the navigation system announcing their arrival time. The buildings around were all old brick buildings with recently remodeled interiors, including the ceremony venue from what he’d been told.

It had been a long time since Tao had seen his cousin. He hadn’t had much time for extended family since becoming CEO of his grandfather’s company. He had weekly dinners with his parents and grandparents but that was the extent of his family visits.

As the car pulled up to venue, Tao checked over his appearance one last time before the door opened and he casually got out.

He glanced around the area as he buttoned his suit jacket before thanking his driver and heading up the steps towards the doors. He was greeted by a man and woman he never met who smiled warmly at him. “Hello,” the woman said as the man, Tao assumed to be her also greeted him with a bow.

Tao bowed back, greeting them both.

“Are you in the groom’s family?” The man asked. Tao nodded in response. “I am. I’m his cousin,” he answered, pulling the invitation from the inside pocket of his jacket and handed it over. He waited patiently as the man looked over the invite before handing it back.

“We are the parents of the bride,” he introduced. “It’s nice to meet you,” he added with a bow. Tao returned the gesture, thanking him and his wife before heading into the venue. The main hallway was carpeted with a pair of large cedar doors that no doubt led into the grand ballroom where the ceremony was to be.

Stepping inside, Tao was surprised by the enormity of it all. It was a beautiful open room with high ceilings and large glass windows along one side letting in lots of natural lighting.

The bride’s parents had spared no expense, the decor made the interior look like a magical forest. A massive spread of garland hung from a structure a good eight feet above the floor. The greenery was littered with pastel flowers in various colors. Pinks, purples, blues, yellows scattered amongst the green looked like a cascade of flowers flowing from above.

Fairy lights adorned every stationary surface.

The backs of the chairs were draped in beautiful light pink gossamer tied into large, extravagant bows and the aisle had a similar light pink carpet rolled out leading up to the altar where a round archway stood, the same green garland with pastel flowers covered every inch of wire.

Tao was asked again by an usher which family he was here for and was shown to a seat in the fifth row on the groom’s side. He took his seat, unbuttoning his jacket as he got comfortable and glanced around as more people filed in and filled the seats little by little. He noticed a few familiar faces and greeted family as they came up to see him.

It didn’t take long for the seats to fill and soon the doors at the back were closed to prepare for the arrival of the wedding party. Soft music played from hidden speakers overhead and no doubt at the ends of the aisles in the large fake planters full of even more greenery.

The groom made his way down the aisle to wait at the altar for the bride and Tao could see just how pleased his cousin looked. He imagined anyone would be happy on a day like this.

The groomsmen hadn’t arrived yet and it left Tao wondering if they were going to walk the bridesmaids down the aisle. His assumption was wrong as the groomsmen came down the aisle not long after and took their places. There were three and based on the color of their ties, Tao assumed the one closest to Jun to be the best man.

The doors were shut again as the music continued to drift from overhead and the planters. Tao hated to seem impatient but he couldn’t help, checking his watch. It seemed things were right on schedule and he decided to open his program while he waited for the next part of the wedding party.

He was glossing over the names of the wedding party when one in particular caught his attention. ‘Y/F/N Y/L/N.’ His eyes widened as he read it. ‘Could it be?’ He wondered but ultimately decided it couldn’t be. And he had no way of confirming because he’d never learned your last name.

The doors opened and Tao looked over his shoulder as the ring bearer made his way down the aisle and stopped near the front to give the rings to the best man and then went to go sit with his parents as the two flower girls made their way down the aisle, leaving pastel flower petals in their wake.

Finally, the two girls were seated and the maid of honor headed down the aisle to take her spot, followed by the bridesmaids. The first was a very pretty blonde woman who happened to look very familiar but upon looking at the second bridesmaid, Tao was sure his heart stopped.

There you were.

You smiled as you gave Bai a thumbs up, one last wish of luck and encouragement before you stepped out onto the aisle and started down the walkway behind Gwen who was already halfway down the rows of seats.

You matched her pace, smiling as you caught the eyes of some of your friends in the crowd as you made your way to the front. Your walk only lasted a couple moments and soon you were standing before Gwen as the doors were shut to prepare for Bai’s grand entrance.

You glanced around the audience, eyes skimming over the faces of each guest as the music reached a crescendo and your eyes landed on a face you never thought you’d see again. Let alone staring back at you.

‘Tao?’

The last person Tao expected to see walking down the aisle at his cousin's wedding was the woman he met two years ago in Shanghai. The woman he spent most of the night talking to. The woman he brought back to his hotel and slept with. The woman who turned down his offer to stay with him in Shanghai.

Yet, there you were, looking just as radiant as the last time he'd seen you. Not much had changed. Your hair was a little different but other than that, you looked exactly like he remembered.

He watched as you walked down the aisle, beaming at your friends and mouthing hello to a few as you made your way to the front. When you finally reached the altar and took your place behind the maid of honor and in front of the blonde woman, you started to look around.

Tao felt his heart start to pound as your eyes scanned the crowd closest to him and just when he thought maybe you’d skipped over him, your eyes met his and he knew.

He knew you knew he was there. He knew you could see him.

It had been two years and time seemed to stand still the moment your eyes met his. His breath caught in his chest as the music around him reached a crescendo but he almost couldn’t hear it. Like it was distant. All he could focus on was your eyes and the way they bore into him. Into his very being, into his soul.

And as soon as the moment began, it ended, your eyes tearing away from his gaze as you turned to look at the back of the room. Tao snapped out of his trance as those around him started to stand up in preparation for the bride’s march.

He watched as Jun’s fiancee, no doubt one of the girls you’d been with in Shanghai, walked down the aisle. Tao could see just how much love she had for his cousin in her face and her eyes as her father walked her down the aisle.

As they passed the row Tao sat in, he chanced a glance at you and found you were already looking at him but once his gaze met yours, you were quick to look away and back at your friend as she reached the altar.

The rest of the ceremony passed in a blur for Tao and try as he might to focus on his cousin’s vows and the exchanging of the ring, all he seemed to be able to watch was you though you didn’t look his way for the rest of the ceremony.

Shock couldn’t describe how you felt seeing Tao again for the first time in two years. You had assumed you probably would have never seen him again. For the rest of the ceremony, you kept your eyes on the bride and groom but you could feel his eyes on you.

The vows and ring exchange passed in a blur but you were able to perform your duties just fine. Walking back down the aisle proved to be easy as well, keeping your eyes forward as you walked with Bai’s brother, Cheng, and out of the room to the hall where you were quickly ushered to a waiting limo.

You were glad to be shuttled off to the reception location first so you would have a chance to compose yourself. ‘Maybe he won’t even be at the reception.’

If only you were so lucky.

Once you arrived at the reception, it was a flurry of photographs and champagne before the guests arrived which didn’t take long. You were chatting with Gwen, sipping on your champagne when the first shuttle arrived with part of the reception guests.

Bai had promised that not all of the ceremony guests were attending the reception and she was right. About a third of the guests from the ceremony were not in attendance at the wedding reception but it was still not a small party by any means.

And of course, as the last of the guests boarded, you happened to catch a glance of Tao talking to Jun’s mother, her small hand resting on his forearm as he walked her into the main room.

You turned away to await the announcement of your best friend and her new husband but couldn’t help sneak a peek at Tao who was watching you with rapt attention. ‘Damn it. Why can’t he be a little less obvious?’

The MC picked up his mic and announced the couple of the hour.

Bai and Jun walked into the room, hand in hand as the crowd applauded. As soon as they were in the middle of the crowd, the first dance started and you watched adoringly as your best friend and her husband danced together on the floor for a couple minutes before other couples joined them.

Gwen asked if you wanted to dance but you shook your head, saying you needed to grab some food as you were starving. Gwen managed to snag one of the groomsmen and pull him onto the floor while you made your way over to the hors d’oeuvre table, picking up a small plate as you did.

Tao watched as you chatted with your blonde friend that he definitely recalled seeing in the club back in Shanghai. He watched as you shook your head and your friend walked off, grabbing one of Jun’s friends and pulling him onto the dance floor while you made your way around the crowd.

Tao excused himself to his aunt and made his way around the crowd, following your movements as you headed for the snack table. He should have known. That would be his move as well.

You were loading some snacks onto a small plate when he approached you. Just as he opened his mouth to speak, the song ended and with it the first dance to tumultuous applause. As the clapping died down, Tao tried again but was interrupted once more.

“There you are!” A voice said, causing both you and Tao to turn as Jun approached with his new wife in tow. Tao offered a friendly smile to his cousin. “It’s been a long time,” Jun said greeting Tao.

“You’ve been so busy lately,” Jun continued. Tao nodded in response. “It would seem you have been pretty busy lately too,” he joked nodding towards Jun’s bride. “Right,” Jun said quickly. “You haven’t had a chance to meet Bai yet,” he said, putting his hand on the small of the woman’s back.

“This is my g- well, it’s wife now,” he said. “Bai, this is my cousin, Tao.”

The noise that came from beside Tao as he was introduced to your friend caught not only his attention but that of the bride and groom. “Oh Y/N!” Bai said excitedly. “I wondered where you snuck off to.” You offered a sheepish smile, showing the plate you’d filled.

“Can’t drink all this champagne on an empty stomach,” you replied. Tao looked down, eyeing you up as this was the closest he’d been to you in two years. You looked incredible, the lilac dress Bai no doubt had taken great care in choosing, fit your body so well, showing off your figure as it hugged you.

“Sorry,” Bai said suddenly. “Where are my manners? Y/N,” she added. “This is Jun’s cousin Tao, though you must have overheard,” she said with a smile. You nodded. “Yeah,” you answered flatly.

You tore your gaze from Bai’s sincere smile to look at Tao who was giving you a half smirk and you were desperate to smack it off his face but you knew this was not the time nor place to hash things out with the man. Not at your best friend’s wedding.

“It’s nice to meet you, Y/N,” Tao said with feigned interest. You narrowed your eyes at him. “Likewise,” you said shortly before turning to Bai and Jun.

“Congratulations,” you said, giving them both very sincere smiles before excusing yourself to eat your snacks.

You had hardly gone a few paces before Tao caught up with you. “Look Y/N,” he said softly but you turned to face him angrily. “What the hell are you doing here?” You hissed at him, sounding every bit as pissed off as you looked.

“Jun is my cousin. We were like brothers growing up. I couldn’t miss his wedding,” he answered calmly. “And Bai is your best friend, so you had to be here too,” he added. “It’s not a big deal,” Tao said softly. “As far as anyone knows, we’re simply acquaintances now. No need to bring up the past if you don’t want to—”

“I don’t want to,” you retorted, hotly. Your answer was so quick and you could have sworn you saw a flash of pain across Tao’s face before it was gone before you could blink. “Fine,” he replied cooly before turning and walked away through the crowd.

You turned away and headed out of the room, uncertain if the heat you were feeling was from the crowded room or your anger.

You found a nice quiet space to eat your food and sip on your champagne where you wouldn’t be disturbed. The yacht had left harbor already and was cruising on the ocean, the [city] skyline a blur or bright lights and colors from this distance.

You let out a sigh as you took another sip of your champagne. A server walked by, offering to take your now empty plate and another glass of champagne. You thanked them and decline the alcohol knowing if you were going to get through this night unscathed, you needed to keep a clear head.

You were looking over the water when you felt arms circle your waist. “Why is my best friend sulking out here?” Bai asked softly and you turned to face her, giving her a smile. “Just needed some air,” you answered. “And space to eat my food.”

Bai looked around, checking over her shoulder before she spoke again. “I need to ask you something really important,” she said softly and you nodded, waiting for her to speak. “What do you think of Tao?”

You had been dreading this since you saw him at the ceremony and even more so when he walked onto the yacht. You hated lying to Bai but you couldn’t exactly tell her the truth. Not tonight anyway.

“He’s okay,” you answered softly. “I don’t really know him.”

Bai gave you a cheeky smile. “Do you want to?” You narrowed your eyes at her. “Why are you asking?”

Bai sighed before launching into an explanation of how Gwen has been eyeing Tao ever since she noticed him and how she, Bai, knows Gwen is too much of a partier and player and from what Jun has told her about his cousin, that’s not Tao at all.

“So I thought, maybe, I could link the two of you up and Gwen would move on,” Bai finished and you sighed. “I don’t know, Bai,” you answered. “I’m not really comfortable with him.” Bai sighed heavily. “Well, I told Jun I’d try and try I did,” she said sadly before perking back up.

“Now get back in there, I wanna dance with my best friends!”

You chuckled as Bai dragged you back into the reception, pulling you onto the floor where Gwen joined you and the three of you danced together.

Tao had just finished dancing with his aunt when he noticed Jun standing off to the side with his groomsmen and walked over, greeting Jun’s friends. It wasn’t long after that the others dispersed, no doubt on the prowl for girls to dance with. Tao waited before speaking his mind.

“How well do you know Bai’s friends?” He asked, drawing his cousin’s attention.

“Okay, I guess,” he answered. “I know enough,” he added with a laugh.

“What does that mean?” Tao asked innocently, thanking the server who brought him a glass of whiskey. “It means I know enough about them to give you a basic assessment,” Jun answered as he took another glass of champagne.

Tao took a sip of his drink and nodded. “Okay,” he said as the alcohol moved down his throat. “I’ll bite.”

Jun chuckled, turning to look at his wife and her three friends. “Julie is easy. She loves romance novels and movies. She’s very sensitive and cries when she gets drunk,” Jun said, leaning towards Tao, pointing to the maid of honor who wore a different color of dress than the other two.

“Okay,” Tao said with a nod. “Don’t go for her. She’s very sappy and not into one night stands,” Jun added. Tao laughed with a nod.

"Noted."

“Gwen, the blonde, is your typical party girl. Loves to drink, loves to party, always has a raging hangover the next morning. I bet tomorrow she’ll be wearing sunglasses to breakfast,” Jun explained as Tao watched your pretty blonde friend take your hand and twirl you around.

“What about Y/N?” Tao asked, attempting to sound nonchalant. Jun turned to his cousin, eyeing his expression. “Don’t even think about it,” Jun said with a laugh. Tao turned to look at him. “What?” He asked.

Jun shook his head again. “She had this one night stand in Shanghai like two years ago,” he started to explain, Tao’s breath catching in his throat as he listened. “Really fucked her up from what Bai said. She fell into a depression when they came home. Bai said she’s never seen Y/N like that before. It only seems like she’s just gotten over it.”

Tao tuned out the rest of Jun’s words, keeping his eyes trained on you. The way you danced so carefree with your friends, laughing, and twirling in their company. He’d only ever seen you that happy at the club before he approached you.

Had you really been that torn up after rejecting him? Tao had half a mind to walk over and apologize, ask to talk to you in private but what he saw next made his blood boil. Two of Jun’s groomsmen, Cheng and Ming, had approached you and Gwen while Julie and Bai danced together.

Cheng asked Gwen to dance which she accepted. Ming however asked you to dance and it took every ounce of self control Tao had in his body to keep from launching across the room and snatching your hand from Ming’s as you accepted his invitation. He’d never experienced such strong jealousy before that moment.

He watched as you started to dance with Ming and Jun’s voice came into focus again, almost as if Tao went temporarily deaf and his hearing was coming back.

“Ah now that’s a good match. Ming is a great guy. Y/N needs something like that after what happened. Someone to keep her grounded,” Jun said with a smile. Tao tried not to roll his eyes. He excused himself to get another drink and turned away from the scene before him.

He hated seeing you in the arms of another man though he knew he had no right to be. It just sucked, the whole situation sucked. He ordered another drink from the bar and thanked the bartender when he poured him a double whiskey, neat.

Tao slammed the alcohol down and tipped the bartender before turning away and noticing that a new song was playing and you were still dancing with that guy. Tao hovered at the bar, watching you as a second dance turned into a third and then into a fourth before you excused yourself.

He watched as you exited the room once more and gave it a couple moments before following casually.

Outside, the air was much cooler and the salty breeze offered a nice reprieve from the hot oven like situation in the ballroom. So many people gathered into one spot and then add alcohol into the mix was a recipe for an extremely hot crowded room.

You leaned against the railing at the stern, looking over the edge at the water below as the yacht trudged on. You inhaled deeply and sighed. Maybe you should call it a night and go lie down in the bridal party suite. It was a room you were to be sharing with Gwen and Julie while Bai and Jun spent the night in their suite.

You heard footsteps approaching from behind and let out a chuckle. “If you’re coming to drag me back to the party, think again,” you called out as the person you assumed to be Bai or Gwen behind you stopped.

“That’s not what I had planned,” a familiar voice said. You turned to see Tao standing behind you, hands tucked in his pockets. Neither one of you said anything for a moment before he nodded to the space beside you.

“May I?” He asked. You shrugged your shoulders and turned to look back over the black water with the elongated reflection of the moon dancing in the waves. Tao squeezed himself into the space next to you, scanning the ocean before you.

“It’s so peaceful out here,” he noted softly. You nodded without a word, taking in the scenery. “Why are you out here alone?” Tao asked suddenly. You shrugged again. “Just needed some fresh air,” you replied.

“But why alone?”

You looked at him, your brow furrowed. “Not that it’s any of your business, but I just needed to clear my head without anyone pestering me,” you snapped before looking away. Tao waited as you sighed and glanced at him.

“I’m sorry,” you said softly. “I have no right to go off on you like that,” you continued. “You were just asking me a question.”

Tao nodded silently. “And I’m sorry about snapping at you earlier. I was just…” you trailed off as you stared out into the endless sea. “You ever feel like sometimes you’re back into a corner and you have two options?” You asked, looking up at him as he looked back at you, studying your face.

“You can either accept your fate or lash out? Like a wild animal?”

Tao nodded, still watching you as you spoke. “That’s how I felt earlier. Being forced into this corner and having no way of escaping you, so I lashed out,” you explained. “For that I’m sorry. I’m sure this is just as weird for you as it is for me.”

Before Tao could stop himself, he blurted out the question that had been weighing on his mind for part of the night. “Did you never tell your friends about me?”

His question seemed to take you by surprise because it took a couple moments before you could answer. “Obviously they know about the one night stand and your offer for me to stay with you in Shanghai,” you finally answered.

“But as to who you were? No,” you answered. “I never told them.”

Tao tilted his head like a curious animal. “Why?” He asked simply. You shrugged your shoulders again. “I didn’t think I would ever see you again,” you replied. “This was the last place I expected to run into you.”

Tao nodded with a chuckle. “Yeah, me neither,” he answered. “Seeing you during the ceremony was unreal.” You glanced up to find him already looking down at you. “I thought I was imagining things when I saw your name in the program. Of course, it could have been a different Y/N. I didn’t know your family name until today.”

You said nothing, merely listening to him talk. “At first, I thought I’d been given a second chance,” he said with a smile before it dropped. “But then I thought that you wanted nothing to do with me. I thought the universe was just testing me.”

Your heart sunk at his tone. He sounded so… heartbroken.

Had he really wanted to see you so badly? Did he know what you went through after you left Shanghai two years ago?

“But then I spoke to my cousin,” Tao continued. “And he told me what you went through when you went home after Shanghai,” he added, turning to look at you.

Your stomach twisted into knots. Jun told Tao about your depressive episode? Why would he do that?

“And it got me wondering. Maybe I wasn’t the only one suffering,” he continued, turning and taking a step closer. “Maybe, just maybe, I wasn’t alone—”

A voice interrupted the two of you.

“Y/N?”

You both turned to find Ming walking over. “Bai asked me to come check on you and see if you were alright,” he said, eyeing Tao who simply gave Ming a cold stare. “You alright?” Ming asked. You nodded, giving him a small smile. “I’m okay,” you replied. “This is Jun’s cousin Tao. We’re just talking.”

Ming glared at Tao and moved forward to hold out his hand. “Let’s go back inside,” he said, not taking his eyes off Tao who glared back. You gently pushed Ming’s hand away. “I’m okay, really,” you said with a smile.

“Tell Bai I’m just fine out here and I’m with Tao,” you added.

Ming looked as shocked as Tao felt but hesitantly accepted your decision and turned around, heading back towards the bow of the yacht.

You turned back to Tao, the same kind smile on your face. “What were you saying?” You asked softly. Tao froze. What had he been saying?

“You said something about maybe you weren’t alone?”

Tao nodded, seemingly remembering what he was going to say.

“I thought that maybe I wasn’t alone in missing you, missing what we had back then.” You nodded. “You have no idea how much I regretted turning your offer down,” you replied, much to Tao’s shock.

“Then why did you?” He asked. You shook your head. “Does it matter now?” You asked. Tao nodded. “It matters to me,” he answered, closing the distance between you. “Why?” You asked softly.

“Why would it when we both know how this ends,” you murmured, turning away from Tao to look over the railing at the water below. “It doesn't have to end like that,” he responded softly, only looking up to meet your gaze once you turned your head to look at him.

The dark look in his eyes sent chills down your spine. It was similar to the look he'd given you in the club two years ago. He slowly closed the distance, his body pressing against yours. Your eyes shut involuntarily as you relished the warmth coming from his body.

“Tao,” you warned, forcing your eyes open and reminding yourself where you were. "We can’t." You let out a sigh as one of his hands moved up, taking your chin in his hands and tilting your head back, thumb moving to brush over your bottom lip. “And why is that, baby?” he murmured, ducking his head to press slow, deliberate kisses against your cheek and down to your jawline.

“We’re in public,” you reminded him as his lips moved further still, kissing down the side of your neck. “That can be changed easily,” he answered, his other hand moved to your back, pulling you against him as he pinned you against the railing. “Tao,” you whined, your own hands resting against his chest.

“Fuck, say my name again,” he whispered against your skin. You tried to push him back and create space between you but Tao growled, the hand on your back moving down to grab your ass as he pressed himself further against you.

“Push me away again and I’ll take you right against this railing for anyone to stumble on,” he warned.

Your thighs clenched together under your dress as you felt his hardening cock grind against your thigh. You let out a weak moan as his hand found its way to your neck, fingers gripping tightly.

“Tell me to stop and I will,” he said, eyes meeting yours in a heated gaze. “Tell me to leave you alone now and I will. When the boat docks, I will step off onto the dock and you'll never see or hear from me again.”

Your stomach dropped, the idea of never seeing Tao again too much to bear. “N-no!” you half shouted. “Don’t go.”

Tao’s grip on your neck loosened. He studied your face, eyes looking into yours and then dipping down to look at your lips and then back up. You weren’t sure who moved first but the next moment, your fingers were fumbling with his jacket as he pulled you away from the railing and towards an unlocked door.

You moaned into his kiss as he guided you through the door, kicking the door shut and locking the door. You made quick work of his suit jacket and were undoing the bow tie he'd probably spent a good amount of time to look neat and presentable.

Once the tie was gone, you started to unbutton his shirt, moaning as his teeth sank into your shoulder while his fingers fumbled with the zipper and straps of your dress. “I need this to come off,” he growled impatiently as he managed to get it unzipped and started to push off you, letting the dress fall to the floor, pooling at your feet.

Your cheeks burned as Tao took in the sight of you before him. The hot pink lace adorning your skin was enough to drive any man wild. His fingertips skimmed over the lace and your skin, bumps erupting under his touch before he grabbed you by the neck roughly.

“Did you wear this for someone specific, baby?” he asked. You shook your head. “I just love the color and the lace,” you admitted, running your fingers over the edge of the lace of your bra cup. Tao’s hands replaced yours before running down to grab your waist and pull you closer. “So you weren’t expecting to get laid tonight?”

You shook your head again.

Tao tilted his head, fixing you with an intense stare.

“Not even by that guy you danced with, right in front of me?” You opened your mouth to respond but Tao stopped you, taking your chin in his hand. “You have any idea how pissed I was, baby?” he growled deeply. “Seeing another man putting his hands on you?”

You tried to answer him but he gently shook your head. “Uh-uh, baby. You speak when I say you can,” he snapped with a stern expression and narrowed eyed.

“You’re already in big trouble.”

His hand moved back to your throat and guided you away from the wall and towards the bed. “On the bed,” he said, letting go of your neck and moving to lock the door. When he turned back and saw you still standing by the bed, Tao let out an exasperated sigh.

“Are you going to make me force you onto the bed, kitten?”

You stared at him as he walked towards you slowly. “Did you hear me?”

You nodded, glancing from him to the bed and back, making a show of it.

Tao stopped just a couple feet from you. “I gave you an order, kitten,” he said, his voice dangerously low.

“On the bed. Now.”

The tone of his voice shifted and you were quick to obey, climbing onto the bed. You realized your heels were still on but as you moved to take them off, Tao’s fingers closed around your ankle. “Keep them on,” he whispered. You withdrew your hands and waited for further instruction.

“Oh you look so pretty like this,” he murmured, taking your chin gently in his hand and tilting your head back to look up at him.

“Are you going to be a good girl and listen?” he asked, his voice sweet and soft. You looked up at him through your lashes and nodded slowly. Your lips parted as his thumb brushed over the plush of your bottom one. “Look at you,” he said, a hint of amusement in his voice.

“Doing what I want without being asked.” He clicked his tongue in approval.

“Such a good, obedient slut.”

A soft gasp escaped your lips as the word left his mouth. Tao raised a brow, looking down at you. “Too much, baby?” he asked. You shook your head, arousal pooling in your panties. You liked it much more than you’d like to admit.

“Good,” Tao answered, standing over you with his hands tucked in his pockets.

“You were a bit bad earlier,” he continued. “Dancing with that guy, knowing I was watching. That really made me mad, baby girl.” Your walls clenched around nothing as he spoke, feeding into what he knew you liked from last time.

“You know what happens when you make me mad?”

You shook your head silently, keeping your eyes fixed on Tao. His face broke into a gentle smile. “You get punished.”

Your breath caught in your throat as your heart pounded in your chest, blood rushing to your core and your face at the same time. ‘Punished?’

You said nothing, waiting for Tao to give you permission to speak. “I assume you have no questions then, kitten?” he asked, the amused tone back in his voice. You shook your head. “Perfect,” he replied, pulling his hands from his pockets and moving to undo his belt. “On your hands and knees, baby,” he said as he unbuckled his belt and started to remove it.

You were hesitant, eyeing the belt in his hands before moving into position. The idea of him using the belt to punish you was better than you could have imagined and made your arousal grow, starting to spread and soak your panties.

“Ass to me, kitten,” Tao said softly. You shifted, making sure your ass was right in front of him. You felt his hand run carefully over your back end, smoothing over the lace and your skin gently. “Such a pretty ass you have,” he murmured.

“It’s a shame I have to mark it up.”

You barely had time to look behind you before a sharp stinging hit your ass and you cried out. Tao grabbed your panties and pulled you back. “Keep quiet,” he growled. “Unless you want everyone to know what a slut you are, getting punished on a yacht during your friend’s wedding reception.”

You pulled your bottom lip between your teeth. “I’ll make this quick,” Tao said, smoothing his hand over the sore spot. “I won’t draw it out,” he added.

“Count them for me, sweetheart.”

And you did. After each swat from his belt, you counted.

One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six.

The number of minutes you danced with Ming.

When he was done, your ass was red, sore, and covered in lines that were starting to welt slightly. “Talk to me, Y/N,” Tao said softly. “Green, yellow, or red?”

Your arms shook, as did your thighs, your head ducked as you held off tears. “Gr-green,” you stammered. You heard Tao move around behind you, his footsteps leading away before returning. “I’m gonna remove these now,” he said, giving your panties a slight tug.

You winced as the lace scratched your sore skin. “Sorry,” Tao whispered as he pulled your soiled panties down. Once removed, Tao pocketed them and picked up a small bottle of cooling gel. “This might burn a little but I promise it’ll help,” he added as he squeezed a good amount of gel onto his fingers and started to carefully rub it into your reddened skin.

You whimpered, body trembling as he made sure to cover all the marks.

“I think I went too hard,” he muttered but you shook your head. “No,” you gasped. “It was perfect, daddy.” You turned your head to look back at him. “Like you said,” you continued, meeting his gaze. “I was a bad girl and needed to be punished.”

Tao clicked his tongue, fighting the urge to smile as he closed the cap on the tube and tossed it into the bag he retrieved it from. “Whose room is this?” you asked suddenly as he wiped his hands clean.

“Mine,” he answered. He must have noticed your surprised expression because he laughed. “You really thought I’d bring you into some stranger’s room?”

You chuckled lightly, the stinging and burning sensation dissipating as whatever gel he used soaked into your skin.

“That gel is amazing,” you noted as Tao moved behind you again. “I use it when I’m sore after a workout,” he replied as he started to undo the top couple buttons of his shirt. “Can you move?” he asked. You carefully sat back, feeling no pain or burning. “Good,” he answered.

“On your feet baby.”

You climbed backwards off the bed and stood carefully. “Come here,” you heard Tao said softly, one of his hands gently taking you by the elbow and turning you to face him, his other hand coming up to cup your cheek as his lips met yours with a groan.

“I still don’t think you’ve been punished enough,” Tao murmured, the hand on your arm moving around your back, pushing you against him. “You don’t?” You gasped, heart pounding when he shook his head.

“No. In fact,” he said pulling back to look over your face, thumb gently pulling down on your bottom lip. “I’d like to put this pretty mouth to use.”

You waited for his instruction and when he placed his hand on your shoulder and firmly pushed down, you followed, allowing him to guide you to your knees.

“Get to work,” he said, nodding down at his zipper.

You slowly reached up, tearing your eyes from his gaze as you unbuttoned his pants and started to pull the zipper down. You glanced up to find him watching you carefully. “Keep going,” he encouraged.

You made a show of tugging his pants down, stopping halfway down his thighs and leaving only his dark blue boxer briefs between you and his hard cock.

Your hands slid up his thighs, moving to take hold of his hips as you looked up to meet his gaze once more. You wordlessly moved one of your hands over his erection, pressing your palm over it and starting to slowly circle, massaging as you maintained eye contact.

Tao kept his composure, watching and waiting for you to continue.

Slipping your fingers under the waistband of his underwear, you slowly pulled them down until his cock sprang free, just as big as you remembered, the tip red and already leaking precum.

Pulling his underwear down to meet his pants, you grabbed his length in one hand, fingers wrapping around the shaft and carefully stroking him. You used your thumb to spread the bead of precum at the tip and watched as his eyelids fluttered, lips parting. You were enjoying watching him react until one of his hands grabbed your wrist tightly.

“Don’t tease me, baby girl,” he growled. “Or I’ll make your punishment even worse.” You obeyed with a nod and as innocent a look as you could muster.

“Open your mouth, princess,” Tao ordered. You opened your mouth for him, even sticking out your tongue without him asking. He seemed to like that.

“Good girl,” he cooed, moving his hand over yours on his cock. “Keep that mouth opened wide for me.”

You did as he said as he guided the head of his cock past your lips, the weight heavy on your tongue. You tried not to moan as his cock glided against your tongue.

The last time you were together, you hadn’t gotten the chance to go down on him so this was new territory. You were sure your wetness had seeped out and that you were dripping onto the carpet as the head of Tao’s cock reached the back of your mouth.

You felt his fingers tangle in your hair. “Start moving, sweetheart.”

You did just that, Tao’s hand there to guide your head how he liked. He was gentle with you, considering the size of his cock and this being your first time going down on him.

Keeping your tongue flat, you started to take control, moving your head of your own accord, at your own rhythm while Tao kept a tight hold on your hair. “Oh fuck,” he groaned, looking down to watch his cock, coated in your spit, disappear in your mouth. “I regret not having you do this before.”

You placed both hands on his thighs, bobbing your head and filling the room with lewd, wet sounds. You could feel him meeting your movements with tiny thrusts, grunting with the effort of trying to hold back.

You pulled off him, taking his cock in your hand and stroking him quickly. “Don’t hold back,” you murmured, looking up at him. He looked down to meet your gaze. “Don’t hold back?” He asked, slightly perplexed. You nodded.

“Fuck my face if you need to. Use me to get yourself off, daddy.”

Tao let out a groan as you took his cock back into your mouth, your own spit starting to dribble past your lips and down your chin. The grip on your hair tightened as Tao held your head still.

“Tap my thigh three times if it’s too much, okay?” You nodded best you could, humming in response. Your hands on his thighs as you braced yourself, Tao gave you a measured and tentative thrust.

When you didn’t react, he thrusted a little harder, the head of his cock hitting the back of your throat. You gagged but motioned for him to continue.

“Shit,” he groaned, guiding your head as he thrust into your mouth.

“I had no idea you were such a dirty little slut.”

You moaned around his dick, walls clenching around nothing as you no doubt spilled onto the carpet beneath you.

Your knees were starting to burn from the cheap, low-pile of the carpet but you ignored it. You didn’t want to interrupt Tao and have to receive more punishment.

His thrusts grew, each time the tip of his dick hitting the back of your throat with a wet gagging sound as your throat tried to accommodate his size.

“Fuck,” Tao cursed. “You really are gonna let me use you, huh?”

You moaned again, the vibrations making Tao buck his hips.

“God look at you,” he said with a chuckle. “You look like a wreck.”

You glanced up at him as he continued to fuck your mouth. “Your makeup is completely ruined,” he noted. He forced your head further down, holding you in place as you gagged around his cock not once or twice, but three times. He pulled your head back, your saliva spilling from your mouth and down your chin, falling onto your chest.

“Such a messy fucking slut,” he growled. “I’m gonna enjoy ruining this hot mouth.”

He guided your head back to take his cock again and repeated the same thing, guiding your mouth along his cock, thrusting into your mouth and holding you in place as you gagged, tears rolling down your cheeks and no doubt ruining your expert applied makeup.

“Come on, baby,” he growled. “I know you can take more.”

Your body jerked, gagging as he pushed your head further, forcing more of his cock into your mouth and pushing past and into your throat. You gagged again, vision blurring as tears spilled from your eyes.

After what felt like minutes but was more likely only a few moments, Tao pulled your head back, the sting on your scalp making you moan loudly.

“If I waited any longer,” Tao panted, looking down at your tear and spit stained face. “I was gonna cum.”

You whined, wanting him to cum in your mouth but Tao lightly slapped your cheek. “Get up,” he ordered. You took his hand, allowing him to pull you shakily to your feet. Tao’s hand disappeared between your thighs, deft fingers finding your slit, dripping with your juices.

“God, you’re so fucking wet, baby,” he groaned, fingers moving along your slit. “On the bed now,” he instructed, pulling his hand back.

You sat back, only wincing slightly as he unbuttoned and removed his shirt, his pants and underwear following quickly.

“Lie back,” he ordered, dropping to his knees at the edge of the bed as your back hit the sheets. Using his hands, he spread your thighs, eyeing your glistening core with a look of hunger and desire.

Spreading your folds, he leaned in and gave a light lick, groaning at the taste of your cunt. “God, I missed this,” he muttered, giving you another slow lick, making sure to tease your clit.

“Tao,” you whined, back arching off the bed.

“That’s not my name, you know,” he muttered, chuckling against your skin as he littered kisses and bites along the inside of your thighs. “D-daddy,” you whimpered as the tip of his tongue toyed with the sensitive bundle of nerves.

“That’s better, baby.”

With each lick, suck, and kiss, he had your thighs twitching, threatening to close around his head but of course, he’d never let that happen with his strong grip on your thighs.

It was easy for him to draw moan after moan from you with just his mouth, licking, sucking, and groaning into your pussy. You propped yourself up on your elbows to glance down between your thighs at him, finding his eyes closed as he lost himself completely in your taste.

Your head fell back against the mattress with a mewl as your toes curled, your orgasm hovering just over your head. “D-daddy please,” you whimpered, one of your hands moving to comb through his locks. He grunted against your cunt, still lapping at your juices as he teased you closer and closer to your high.

“You wanna cum, pretty girl?” He asked softly, voice deeper and huskier than it had been before. “You wanna cum on my tongue?” You nodded frantically.

“Yes daddy, please!” Tao chuckled, pulling back from your soaked center and wiped his lps on the back of his hand before crawling over you, kissing his way up your stomach and stopping to pull down the cups of your bra, taking one of your pert nipples in his mouth as his tongue brushed over it, suckling softly.

His other hand kneaded your free breast, groping and gently pinching your nipple between his thumb and forefinger, rolling it lightly. Your back arched into his face, thighs tightening around his waist as you rolled your hips, seeking friction.

Tao pulled back, teeth lightly grazing your nipple before he peppered kisses along your collar, up the side of your neck and to your lips, taking you in a searing and passionate kiss. Your hips continued to look for friction, finding it in his cock gliding between your pussy lips and rutting against your clit.

“You want this?” He asked softly, his voice barely above a whisper. “You want daddy’s cock?”

You nodded, hot tears of frustration threatening to spill from your eyes as you begged him. “Please, please, please,” you chanted, your soaked and aching hole chasing his cock. Tao let out a dark chuckle before reaching between you to position his cock at your entrance.

“So eager,” he murmured as he barely pushing into you, sinking the head of his cock past your wet folds. “So needy,” he continued, pushing a little further, his girth stretching you out so deliciously.

You let out an unrestrained, wanton moan as he continued to slide further and further into you, unrestricted, your velvety walls hugging every ridge and vein of his length, sucking him in.

“Fuck, I forgot how good you feel,” he groaned, resting his forehead against your chest as he bottomed out.

“So tight and warm.”

You moaned loudly again, trying to pull his hand away when he covered your mouth. “You’re so loud,” he grunted as he gave you a measured thrust,” chuckling as the tears in your eyes started to spill, rolling down your temples and disappearing into the sheets.

“Oh look at you,” he murmured, amused. “Crying for me? Miss me that much?”

You whimpered as his thrusts picked up, his skin hitting yours and filling the room with the sound of wet slapping as his cock pounded your tight heat. “Gonna fuck you so good. Fuck you so hard you can’t walk,” he groaned in your chest.

He raised his head, littering kisses along your neck. “‘M gonna fuck you so good you only want this dick from now on.”

Your legs tightened around his waist, locking him in place as he continued to ram into you, each drag of his raw cock against your walls sending you to a higher plane of existence, an intense heat spreading from your stomach to your fingertips and toes.

You weren’t going to last long and Tao knew it. He could hear it in the increased pitch of your moans. He could feel it in the heat radiating from your skin. He could see it in your eyes as they rolled back.

“That’s it,” he murmured, watching your face as your orgasm approached.

“Be a good girl and come on this cock,” he groaned, your fluttering walls hugging him so nice and warm as your climax neared.

Your fingers tightened in his hair, nails scraping his scalp as you scratched down his back with the other hand, your hips trying to meet his with each erratic thrust as he helped you ride out your high by chasing his own.

CUT

You toppled over the edge, coming with a string of curses and his name. “Oh fuck, daddy, I’m coming,” you mewled, stars swarming your vision and your head going fuzzy. A warmth gushed out of your abused hole as Tao continued to pound you into the mattress.

“Fuck, fuck, shit,” he hissed as his hips stuttered only for a moment, before he slammed into you one final time, coming with a moan of your name before he realsed his thick hot load into your cunt, filling it almost to the brim as his hips finally stilled.

You both laid there, panting heavily as you tried to catch your breaths, Tao’s cock still buried deep in your pussy. You could feel his release start to spill out of your hole, wincing with a whine as he pulled out of you and collapsed onto his back beside you, staring up at the dark ceiling.

“How is it possible for it to be even better the second time around?” He huffed, shaking his head as he brought a hand up to wipe his forehead. You giggled, turning your head to look at him.

“That good, huh?” You croaked, your voice hoarse from moaning and calling his name. He turned to meet your stare, a cheeky smile crossing his features. “I’ve been blown away both times,” he answered. “It’s like you have an iron vice down there,” he joked, making you whine and roll into him to hide your face.

Tao laughed, wrapping an arm around your waist and pulling you into him. “You know,” he said as his laughter subsided. “I’ll bet everyone is wondering where you went,” Tao murmured, pressing kisses to your jaw and cheek.

“They’re probably wondering the same thing about you,” you replied, giggling as his kisses turned tickling, pulling you against his sweaty body.

“Ugh, you’re so sweaty,” you whined as he cupped your cheek, pulling your lips to meet his in a surprisingly tender kiss. “They can wonder for all I care,” Tao whispered when he finally broke the kiss.

The silence that fell over the both of you was much more comfortable than it had been before and you watched as Tao played with your fingers, lacing his own with yours while holding you close to him, your cheek resting against his chest.

“You know,” he said softly, breaking the silence and making you look up at him.

“My offer still stands.”

Your brow furrowed. “What offer?”

Tao looked down to meet your gaze. “My offer to spend time with me in Shanghai,” he answered. Your cheeks burned as you felt your stomach churn. This hadn’t ended well the last time and you hated when history repeated itself.

The longer you stared at him and he at you, the more you realized that his offer would always be open ended. It was clear there was an attraction between you but there was something else in his eyes. Something more than hope.

You couldn’t put your finger on it but you knew what it was.

I guess since I turned you down last time,” you started, looking at your intertwined hands.

“I could give it a chance,” you finished, watching as he pulled your hand closer and gave the back a kiss. “Are you going to tell your friends?” He whispered, hoping you would say yes. When you nodded, he felt relieved.

“Not until tomorrow though,” you answered. “Let Bai and Jun enjoy their night before we bring our drama into their lives. Tao snorted but said nothing to argue against your point.

“Fine,” he answered, thumb stroking the side of your hand tenderly.

“But tomorrow,” he added.

“For tonight, just focus on me.”

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