Scars

Chapter 7

They stood like that, minutes, slow and long. Xiao Zhan just taking delight in holding Yibo against him. He's gotten very fond of Yibo that his mind is always a jumble at the back of his head, his rationality scolding him for giving in little by little to impulses, his pride praising him for taking chances he used to be too afraid to explore.

Arms tight around Xiao Zhan's back and shoulders, Yibo shifted his thigh from time to time, gently being held up by Xiao Zhan. He was weightless against him. Though Yibo felt as if he'd fall on the floor like jelly if he tried to loosen his arms around him or if Xiao Zhan released him. But if in case, his fall might just be saved. Xiao Zhan's eyes would save him. Eyes looking down on him, like a magnet drawing him up against the man, Yibo could swear he can literally feel his face inching forward bit by bit. This he confirmed when his lips parted and he felt Xiao Zhan breathe warm air into his mouth.

"Do you want to kiss me, Yibo?"

A gasp escaped Yibo at the question. Did he? Oh, he wants to... But maybe not like this. He shook his head. "No." He whispered, not drawing far from Xiao Zhan.

"No?" Xiao Zhan moved the hand cradling Yibo's nape to push back the bright, light hairs on one side of Yibo's face, thumb brushing his reddened ear.

Yibo shook his head again. "No." He swallowed, closing his eyes so he could pull back, even just a little. "That's not how I want it." Yibo tipped his head to one side, resting against Xiao Zhan shoulder. "Not me kissing you... What I want is you kissing me."

Xiao Zhan shook with small laughter, releasing Yibo's leg to settle both hands on his hips. "I get it... but not right now, hmm?"

Yibo nodded and hummed in agreement with him, a tinge of excitement ringing in his ears at the possibility of it. "Not right now." He pulled back, finally gathering the wits to meet Xiao Zhan's eyes. "At least, not yet."

Xiao Zhan admired this of Yibo. Despite acting like he's throwing himself freely around him, flirting with him, saying provocative things, and relentlessly teasing, he had real sense of self-preservation. And he retained his respect... to Xiao Zhan, even to his mother and father, going as far as to over-work himself just to avoid them instead of fighting back and not telling on them, and just like right now, he respects himself.

"What are you thinking, Xiao Zhan?"

"Aside from dinner getting cold?" They both chuckled. "I'm thinking that... I want to know all about you... and that you shouldn't avoid me in any circumstance--"

"When I get jealous."

"Hmn." Xiao Zhan agreed and winced. "That. 'Cause I told you before, didn't I? It worries me when I don't know what's going on in that beautiful head of yours." He cupped Yibo's face with his hands.

Wide-eyed, Yibo gripped his wrists. "Going on where?"

"In your head." He tousled his hair.

"That's not what you said."

"Dinner's getting cold as we speak."

"Xiao Zhan!" Yibo called after him as he hurriedly left the study.

~

A hand on his neck and forehead pulled him out of sleep, but when Yibo opened his eyes he was alone.

After dinner last night, Xiao Zhan got busy in the study and he settled for watching movies in the living room until sleep over-took him. It was near midnight when Yibo was woken up by Xiao Zhan asking him to lay down properly. He'd said good night and told Yibo to sleep in if he wanted, since he'll be spending the day by himself.