Childhood friends

Please, keep moving on

"Are you okay?" Sehun's arms wrapped tighter around him, and Tao didn't feel suffocated in the warmth, rather he felt whole and at peace. He wasn't falling apart anymore even if he was chained to a chair because Sehun was there with him when no else could take him away from reality.

When no one else would go against their future and fate for him.

"Yeah, I'm fine" he mumbled and inhaled Sehun's smell. The boy began to play with his hair, and Tao snuggled into his chest, eyes closed, feeling himself entangled with Sehun as they were lying on the bed.

Sehun shifted a bit and leaned his back against the headboard, making sure Tao was still comfortable, holding Sehun's waist and drawing small circles on his chest with his other hand

"What happened?" he asked, lifting Tao's bangs from his forehead, softly hinting at him to face him, which he did, but only for a short moment "I just, I lost hold of my future. It's no longer mine" he whispered and Sehun noticed the empty look in his dark eyes. The sorrow, and hopelessness that reflected on his face as he thought about his life and the hardships he'll keep facing.

Sehun shifted more so Tao could cuddle into his side.

"Hey" he tried to comfort him, but then shut up. He didn't know what to say. He couldn't say it was going to be alright, because there'd always be hard times for someone like them.

"I'm here," he muttered instead he pulled Tao closer "I'm here for you".

Tao's hand curled into a fist on Sehun chest and the other tightened around his waist. His head was on his shoulder now, and Sehun placed his face on top of Tao's, the soft hair tickling him.

"You'll always have me," he spoke again, rubbing comforting circles on Tao's back.

He could hear Tao sniffle, and he let him cry for as long as he needed.

In the morning he dropped Tao off at school. It was silent when they arrived at the school, and Sehun didn't know if he should say something, but then Tao let out a deep breath.

"Thank you Sehun" he spoke, and Sehun couldn't help the warmth that spread inside him, causing a smile to play on his lips "It's okay. Whenever you wanna talk, whenever you need me, I'm here" Tao didn't answer, only nodded without looking at Sehun.

"I won't leave you" he reassured, and Tao recognized the confident tone he spoke in.

It was the same voice Kris had used when he had promised Tao to stay and fight the universe. When he had promised he'd make Tao trust him again.

A lie.

"You promise?" his small voice croaked out, and Sehun froze. He stared at him in disbelief, confused why Tao sounded so insecure.

"I promise" He therefore declared, staring at Tao with a serious look, but Tao couldn't hold eye contact with him because it only reminded him of the way Kris had looked at him when he had promised him that as well. Of course, he knew that Sehun and Kris weren't alike.

"If I don't, please beat me up and make me regret I ever broke my promise"

Tao's head shot up.

That. That right there was just one of the many differences between the two. Would Kris have said that? Would he have looked at Tao and told him to beat him up if he failed him?

No, no he would not, and maybe that's why he looked at him as had Sehun promised him the stars.

"Are you serious?" he asked, and Sehun nodded, "Yeah, of course, I am"