As Long// Tao Exo

Chapter III

"In simplest terms, a dependant is someone whose soul depends on another soul to survive- an independent."

I stop everything- including breathing temporarily- in shock of his statement. The look on Chanyeol's face suggests that my reaction is enough to prove that I am what he questions.

"I knew it!" Chanyeol states as a large grin sweep across his face.

"I told you not to ask her!" Kyungsoo scolds. "What if she's not and you exposed a Normal to the dark parts of the world?"

"I didn't think of that," Chanyeol tone implies that he truly didn't. "But are you?

To reply I don't use because I know they will fail me instead I nod.

"See she is no harm done."

"And I was the one who mentioned to you first. I was the one who made the assumption first by her glances at Tao. You made it after her reaction to being asked to come with us," Kyungsoo stayed a matter of factly. Chanyeol just rolls his eyes.

"Details schmetails," Chanyeol says while picking up his drinks.

"Wait," I say something dawning on me. Chanyeol sets back down the unopened bottle in his hand back down. "How do the both of you know about Dependence?"

"Unfortunately, I'm a Dependant."

"To who?"

"Me," Chanyeol says answering the question for Kyungsoo.

Kyungsoo nods confirming Chanyeol's statement then began shaking his head as if he still can't believe he's in the situation.

"We should be heading back before the start think we kidnapped you," Kyungsoo switches the subject.

We start walking back to the room where everyone else was. We are all quiet no words needing to be said.

'Wait. They may mention it to him not realizing he knows nothing.'

"He doesn't know. And I'd like to keep it that way, I don't need for all this to get even more complicated," I say softly hoping no one else hears. The two of them just turn their head to look at me and stop walking.

"What?" I ask confused by their responses.

"How does he not know? How have you managed to stay that close to him without him questioning?" Kyungsoo questions me.

"Um.. it has its downfalls like sneaking around to stay near him. But his mom doesn't want him to know, so we've all kept quiet about it."

I'm surprised when Chanyeol hugs me out of nowhere and pats me on the head. I stand their awkwardly with my hands by my side.

"Get off her," Kyungsoo says noticing my discomfort and pulls Chanyeol off me.

"Jeez. I'm sorry; I was just trying to be nice. Unlike you," Chanyeol says.

"Oh, I'm nice just not to you," Kyungsoo says as we reach the door. The noise was not quite as loud as earlier. "It's because he's not in there."

"What?" I question.

"It's not as loud because he's not in there. When he gets around some of the others, it's like he forgets how to be civil and quiet," Kyungsoo explains pointing at Chanyeol.

Before I can question him about how he knew I was thinking about that, he opens the door. All of the practically pounce on them for their drink. Then they return to chatting, Tao talking to Kai, Suho, and another boy I haven't met yet.

"Quite a pair aren't they. D.o and Chanyeol," Sehun says as I walk into the room. I nod and laugh.

"They seem to hate each other's guts. Well more like Kyungsoo hates Chanyeol's," I say remembering there seemingly endless banter.