The Boy in The Mask (Taeten)

END

Ten sat on his porch steps, trying to finish his essay. Shit, he hated homework.

Then he heard a voice, drawing his attentions upward.

"Do you wanna play?" Jaehyun was there, throwing a soccer ball up and catching it in his hands.

Ten was getting tired of being used as another player on his neighbours game teams.

"Um . . . I'm good, thanks." Ten looked back down at his homework.

"Ten," Jaehyun paused. "We really want you to hang out with us."

Well that was a new one.

Ten slowly looked back up, at Jaehyun then at his house, where Doyoung and Jungwoo were drinking lemonade, sitting in the grass. Along with someone else.

Lucas.

Ten was surprised, seeing Lucas's arm swung over Jungwoo. It made him smile a little because he knew Jungwoo liked Lucas.

"Please?" Jaehyun added.

Ten couldn't help but smile. He set his homework aside and stood up.

Ten decided he couldn't hide his whole life away living in fear. Alone. Scared of everything, everyone who would hurt him

He knew what it was like to have friends now. To trust people, to be trusted.

Finally, the Thai boy lifted his hand. He unhooked his mask from around his ear, and slowly, peeled it away.

Until it was in his hand.

Jaehyun was so utterly shocked, as well as the boys in the lawn over.

"Thanks for letting me play," Ten smiled and it caused a grin on Jaehyun's stunned face.

"You're welcome," he shot a genuine smile, "Are you from heaven or something jesus christ chittaphon where have you been all my life?"

Ten bursted into laughter, snatching the soccer ball from Jaehyun's hands, and he ran to the others, excited to play a game and actually want to.

"Ten, you're gorgeous." Lucas said and Doyoung and Jungwoo both had to smile and agree; they weren't expecting to see his whole face probably ever.

Ten blushed, "Come on, let's play" he dropped the soccer ball in the grass as the other 3 joined.

×××

It was 8:00, Ten was sitting in his bedroom, waiting for Taeyong to text him.

Maybe call.

He was just hoping he wouldn't ditch him after he made him promise to see him today.

Ten missed him. He wanted to hug him, kiss him, cuddle with him.

And then at that very moment, there was a knock on the window. Ten's desperation faded as he came to realize the only person who used that window was a crazy, heart-throbbing red haired boy.

As soon as the smaller bolted to the window and opened it, Taeyong rolled right in, making Ten laugh. "It might not kill you to use the front door."

"Ah," Taeyong stood up, "it might." He reached his arms around the youngers waist and pulled him against himself. "I missed you" his voice lowered.

Ten couldn't help but smile.

How had he fallen so in love with someone like Lee Taeyong? It really was a mystery.

"I missed you too" Ten said at last.

Taeyong smiled and leaned in, placing his lips softly on Ten's.

The boys kissed a few times, and then Taeyong took his hand "It's a full moon, c'mere." He pulled him to the window and started climbing out.

"Wh-Taeyong, no" Ten nervously laughed, but Taeyong ignored him, grabbing the gutter and pulling himself up onto the roof of the house.

When Ten leaned out the window and looked upward, Taeyong's arm was held out. "I don't know . . ."

"Chittaphon," Taeyong smiled, "Trust me."

Ten hesitated. He wasn't used to trusting people. If he did, they turned around and stabbed him in the back.

But for the time in his life, he felt safe and he actually trusted somebody.

So the Thai boy grabbed Taeyong's hand, and climbed out of the window.

He made it to the roof with the older boy's help, and they scooted up on the roof more, so they wouldn't fall off.

"C'mere" Taeyong patted between his legs that were apart, and he grabbed Ten and pulled him against him without waiting for an answer.

Ten laughed a little as Taeyong locked his arms around the other's waist, Ten's back against Taeyong's chest.

"Wow," Ten looked at the full moon, awestruck "It's beautiful"

"Not as beautiful as you." Taeyong said and Ten grinned, "That's cheesy."

"I'm cheesy. Deal with it." Taeyong said, making Ten laugh.

"Alright, I can deal with that."

A long pause of silence went through the air. The only noises were the two breathing, and the cars in the distance.

"Ten . . ." Taeyong's voice was soft.

"Yeah, Taeyong?"

Another pause.

Until Ten looked up and back a little, to find the Korean boy's face. "Yeah?" He repeated.

Taeyong locked eyes with Ten's. "I'm so sorry." In the moonlight, Ten could see the tears glistening in the older's eyes and he spoke gently.

"I wish I never hurt you. I wish I never even said one thing to make you hate me. I'm sorry, you didn't deserve that, I . . ." Taeyong was having trouble, and tears spilled from his eyes as he spoke. "I hate myself so much. I hate myself for not treating you how you deserve. I will never get over that." He shook his head.

Ten's eyes filled with tears, he was stunned, he thought they were over this.

The idea of Taeyong hating himself hurt Ten.

"Taeyong . . . No, you don't . . . I really forgive you, I do, I love you."

Taeyong stared at Ten for a while. He didn't understand how somebody could be so understanding and so beautiful.

He eventually nodded, "I love you too. I love you so much, Ten."

He held Ten's cheek in his hand, staring at him. Ten couldn't help but smile, "So much." He repeated in a whisper.

Taeyong slightly leaned down and placed his lips on Ten's. They kissed passionately, and then Ten turned, leaning into Taeyong's chest as the red haired boy held him, keeping him warm.

And for the first time in Ten's life, things were actually perfect.

༺the end༻