SUNGMIN FELT AT PEACE. And he felt sore in so many other places he had to stop himself from laughing because it hurt. Thank God it was Saturday.

He shot up when he remembered what day it was. Saturday!

His brothers would be here any minute. Kangin had a key and came to his apartment first every time. He looked at the alarm clock and sighed when he saw that it was just five in the morning. It wasn't going to be until seven when the guys would come over and join him for a week of stories and food. He wanted to call them and call in sick. But that would just make them come over sooner with medicine and soup.

How was he going to tell them that his new student lover was here and he was too sore to hangout on Google? Tao was rousing and Sungmin decided that it was still too early to worry about his friends. It wasn't like the first time they'd seen him with someone in his bed. But that someone had been Kyuhyun, not Tao.

TAO was a cuddler. He'd known this from way back. He rarely did let go of a pillow or whoever was the unfortunate person he had grab hold of during the night if he slept with other people during camp or a sleep-over. He knew that Sungmin was smaller than him and he felt great to have him fit the space he made for him.

Sungmin sighed against the chiseled chest and kissed it despite himself. Tao smiled at the feel of it and decided that he was up for some morning nookie. But he wondered if Sungmin would be up for it. He did demand a lot from him last night. "Are you awake now?" he asked.

"Yes, very much." Sungmin kissed him full on the mouth this time. Tao couldn't think of a better way to remove the cobwebs of sleep than kiss this lovely creature he held in his arms.

"You're ready for me again?" Tao caressed Sungmin there but the latter gasped in mixed pain and pleasure. Tao frowned. "Or maybe not."

"I'm a bit sore...everywhere." Sungmin had to laugh. He wanted Tao but he also felt like he needed to rest his bits or he would have to put balm on them later.

"I hurt you..." Tao felt the fearful tears well up. He hadn't meant to be so rough. He was just...overwhelmed. "I...I..."

Sungmin kissed his apology away. "This happens when there is too much passion. I should have helped you control it. I will next time. It's just...I lost control too." Tao saw the soft angel again and felt even guiltier. In the light, he saw the marks he made on such delicate skin.

"You have to teach me how not to hurt you..." Tao caressed Sungmin's face and kissed him softly. "I promise to learn how not to hurt you like this..." he tried to lightly touch all the marks he made.

Sungmin had to close his eyes because feathery touch was arousing him again. And Tao was too vulnerable to learn control right now. That and it was six-thirty.

"Taaaaooooooooooohhhh...stop." Sungmin held Tao's hands and kissed them. "We have to get up and cleaned up. My...brothers are visiting in a few hours. I am sure one of them will be here soon enough." Sungmin saw the understanding in Tao's eyes then the pain.

"Do you want me to leave before they come here?" Tao didn't hide it and Sungmin was quick to stop him from thinking it.

"I just want you to be able to take a breather and clean up before they get here. Same with me. Then we can make breakfast and wait for them." Sungmin kissed Tao on the forehead then on his cheeks and then they shared a long sweet kiss.

"I thought you wouldn't want me here," Tao muttered.

"I always want you here," Sungmin assured him. "I told you I won't make the same mistakes I have made in the past. This time, I won't hide my love. Whatever the risks may be."

"What do you mean? I am not asking you to parade our relationship. You could get fired." Tao knew that relationships between students and teachers were frowned up. It wasn't outright illegal but since he was in Sungmin's class it was not a good idea to have it announced.

"Do you want me to hide you like I hid Kyuhyun?" Sungmin was alarmed. Perhaps he was the only one willing to take the risk.

"Inside the university, we would have to be careful. Until I can be responsible for you, we can't be too obvious. But here. With our friends. With your friends. We can be open and I will not have you deny that you are mine." Tao kissed him softly and reassured him that his fear was for naught.

"Do you love me then?" Sungmin asked.

"Do you love me?" Tao asked him back.

"Do you still need me to answer that after last night?" Sungmin asked back.

Tao laughed. "Sometimes the words are reassuring but I will never force them from you, ne sarang. Wo ai ni."

"Sarang he." Sungmin kissed him deeply. Tao held him all the way to the bathroom. After all, mornings after required a shower for two.