EXO's Manager (EXO Xiumin fanfic) (COMPLETED)

25 // "Stay healthy"

"We'll have to fly back with Kai, but at least we won't have to fly with him to America," Xiumin said. The only problem with this was that it was 2:00 in the morning.

We boarded the flight, and I immediately fell asleep. When I woke up, I had no sense of time. I realized that I had been resting my head on Xiumin's shoulder. He was awake, listening to music. He smiled at me, and pulled out his headphones. "Ahh, you're awake."

"How long has it been?" I asked.

"We're halfway there," Xiumin said.

I groaned, throwing my head back. I looked at him. "How long did I have my head on your shoulder?"

"Oh, a while," Xiumin said, smiling. He was looking at me, his eyes flicking from my eyes to my lips. "But I didn't mind."

"Okay," I said. I ended up falling asleep again, and didn't wake up until Xiumin nudged me awake. He was laughing.

"I don't know how you did it," he said. "You slept basically the whole time."

"I guess I've been really tired lately," I said.

"You don't say!" Xiumin exclaimed, but not like he was mad. "I can't sleep on planes. What's your secret?"

"It's my second flight in my life?"

Xiumin nodded, then pointed out the window. "We're in America. Landing."

We got off the airplane, and we were in LA. "Looks like we have some time to kill before our next flight. What's a good restaurant? It's on me," Xiumin said.

"I don't know what's in LA," I said. "I didn't grow up in the city. Just small towns."

"Come on," Xiumin said. "I want to experience American food."

"Oh, you will. Just lets get to my home where I know where stuff is," I said.

"But I'm hungry now," Xiumin said as we walked. Then he stopped.

"Then we can find something fast. I don't feel like eating anything fancy. I know I just slept, but I'm still really tired and I just want to be home," I said. When I realized Xiumin wasn't walking beside me anymore, I stopped and turned back to Xiumin. "What are you doing?"

"Tao!" Xiumin called. I turned to the direction Xiumin was facing, and we saw Tao with luggage. He smiled at us from many yards away and made his way to us.

"What are you guys doing here?" Tao asked. "Business things?"

"Since you're not in the band anymore, you might as well know," Xiumin told Tao, and looked at me for approval. I nodded. "I'm going home with Amelia during the two week break."

Tao looked slightly confused. "Are you saying you're dating?"

Xiumin nodded, smiling back at me.

What?

We never made that official. Xiumin never asked me out.

"Wow..I mean, I remember suspecting something was up between you two. Does Kim J allow it?"

"No, that's why we're keeping it private," Xiumin explained.

"How are you doing?" I asked Tao, changing the subject.

Tao looked at me. "I've never been better. I have to deal with SM Entertainment suing me now, but I've never felt so free. My dad sending the letter was the best thing that he has ever done for me."

I nodded, glancing at Xiumin. Xiumin wouldn't even look at Tao when he said spoke.

"I know I hurt all of you.."

"Yeah you did," Xiumin interrupted Tao. "You gave Kris so much shit for leaving last year. And now you've left. You didn't even say goodbye to us."

"It's because I know how Kris and Luhan hurt all of us. I had to leave, okay? Maybe someday you'll understand. I just couldn't bear to see you all hurt because of me," Tao said.

I know Xiumin was hurting, but I just wanted Tao to tell me that it wasn't my fault. That's all I needed.

"You are a coward, you know?" Xiumin asked.

"Minseok, that's enough," I said. "Tao, we have to catch a flight. It was wonderful seeing you again."

"It was really great seeing you guys too," Tao said. "Best of luck with the repackage album. Stay healthy."

As we walked away from Tao, I didn't say anything because I was trying to make the lump in my throat go away. I couldn't cry right now. I was in the middle of the airport. "Please don't tell me you're about to cry," Xiumin said beside me.

"That doesn't help, you know?!" I snapped.

"Hey," Xiumin said, grabbing my arm and pulling me into his arms and he hugged me. I buried my face in his chest as I regained my composure. "It hurt seeing him, didn't it?"

I unburied my face when the feeling of bursting into tears passed. "I just can't help but feel like it's my fault. But it's probably nothing in comparison to what you're feeling."

"Stop that. It's gotta be shitty doing what you do. Let's just forget about Tao and Kim J and the rest of Exo while we're here, okay?" Xiumin asked.

"Okay," I said, as Xiumin slipped his hand into mine as we walked together.