New Beginning | Tao vs Chanyeol x Reader

Chapter 20

“Oh look, I lost. I guess it’s Tao’s turn, you go get em tiger!” he said to both Hyori and Nana, he then turned to me, “Hey Hyaka, I just got a new mixer that I forgot to show you, come to the kitchen with me?”.

“Subtle...very subtle. No one suspects a thing, big guy.” Hyori teased Chanyeol.

“Shhh, don’t tease him, this is important.” Nana shooed Hyori.

I shot both of them a look, but it was Tao who saved the day. “So whose turn is it first? I’ve never played before, so go easy on me.”

I could practically feel Chanyeol sag in relief, and I followed him to the kitchen. This party was turning into a lot more revelations, a lot less eating cake until I was sick.

“What’s up? Did you see Tao get a private talk with me and get jealous?” I teased.

“Actually, yes.” he said.

That actually stunned me out of a response, and I stood there, blinking at him. “What?” only that word escaped my mouth.

“I saw you guys walk off together and I got jealous. I saw him hold you outside the door, and I wanted more than anything to be in his place.” he stopped for a few seconds then continued, “and I realised.... I mean, I guess I’ve known for a while, but I didn’t want to admit it. Y-y-you’re the most important person to come into my life since Tao.” he then looked at me all serious. “and I wouldn’t be happy unless I told you exactly how I felt.”

Like before, his large hands wrapped around my middle. He gently set me on the counter so we were eye to eye. I had an idea of what was coming, but I wasn’t sure I could handle it.

I loved both of my friends dearly and the thought that they cared so deeply for me. It was wonderful, but so very foreign to me. What was I supposed to do with all this? Say thank you? Do a gig? I felt so undeserving of their affection, yet here I was.

“I never thought I would ever be running my own place. And the cafe became success, the peak of my life” he then continued, “but then you came in...” the way he was looking at me now...

It made me want to believe their kind words.

“You make me think that I really can do anything. Me! A thug. You’re the biggest reason I kept moving forward with the patisserie program. The reason I think I have a chance to amount to something worthwhile.” he finished.

What was it with these boys and knocking me speechless? I couldn’t fathom how they saw so much depth and value in me. I wasn’t anything yet they were believing in me, and giving me credit for their own successes. We fell quiet and my comparatively small hands slid into his.

Like usual they were warm, with strong callous from his baking tools.

“I could never be more grateful that I met the two of you.” he said as a crooked smile crossed his face, and he nodded.

We sat there a moment more, collecting ourselves, before returning to the party. Though I felt drained from such emotional roller coasters, it was a good sort of exhaustion. One born from a day of building meaningful memories.

If Hyori or Nana thought anything of the private conversations, they didn’t say anything. Instead we all ate cake, laughed, and took turns playing the trivia game. When that was done, we watched a movie, and then ate more cake. All in all, I knew I was happy. I had found my home.

When the party finally wound down, it was nightime, and I walked back to my place.

It wasn’t until I took a moment to stand still, looking at the night sky, I realized both of them could be as far away from me, as those stars, very soon.

I didn’t sleep well.