Zhan squeezed Yibo's arm gently and turned around to face him. He then wrapped his arms around his lover's neck as Yibo also encircles his own around his tiny waist, giving him a sweet peck on the lips after which made the pouty one glow. Yibo felt guilty for mentioning Yuta to Zhan and thought about how he must've felt when it seemed like he was comparing Yuta to him, even though it was not his intentions.
"I'm sorry, Zhan.."
"It's okay. I understand. I just felt a little jealous of my best friend.."
Yibo wrinkled at Zhan's confession and gently provided him with a loving rub on the cheeks.
"Why..?"
"Cause I know that I can never replace him and I know that you miss him so much. I'm sorry.."
Guilty, Yibo seizes Zhan's blushing face and landed him with a long and fulfilling kiss, something Zhan can never live without now, like a medicine he needs whenever he feels queasy, Wang Yibo's luscious fringes. Yibo slides his hands down Zhan's arms until he reached his lover's smooth palms then pinched it while both still lost in a deep kiss. Once satisfied, Zhan let go and provided Yibo with a hug and both landed an apologetic smile for each other.
"Ready to get inside my head..?"
"Hmm.."
"Popcorn..?"
Yibo giggled at Zhan's teasing, but the other just let out a wistful smile. He took Yibo's hand and led him to the bed where Yibo then excitedly sat with his back lounged on the headboard slat, letting Zhan rest on his body and encircling him with his long branches from behind which Zhan gladly received. Time doesn't seem to matter when he is with Yibo as he lay comfortably on his lover's torso, basking in the warmth of it but, making love many times earlier still wasn't enough for Yibo for he couldn't stop spoiling Zhan's neck with kisses which made the other tilt his head a little and giggle from the tickles.
"Come on, baby. You still want me to tell you.."
"Hmm..I just can't seem to stop. You smell so nice, Zhan.."
"We can just make love all night and never sleep.."
Yibo instantly halted his coquetry and Zhan couldn't help but laugh at his cute lover. Yibo pulled him a little bit more closer, too close for Zhan to feel his manhood which made Zhan chuckle in embarrassment while shaking his head but Yibo only smirked at him, flirtatiously mocking him with it. After a bit, both became serious again and Zhan, recognizing that his lover is now willing to listen, began.
"Where do you want me to start..?"
"Tell me something about you first then we can go on from there.."
"Feels like I'm applying for a job or something.."
"You're hired.."
Zhan chortled and Yibo smiled at his gleeful lover, giving another peck or two on Zhan's sensitive area.
"We're not gonna go anywhere with this, Yibo.."
"Okay, I'll stop.."
Yibo arranged his sitting position and so did the older. Once settled again, he then rested his chin comfortably on Zhan's shoulder, hugging him tightly while Zhan laid down his head on Yibo's side face, staring directly far away, in thought where to start and in conflict how he will finish up.
"Well, of course, you already know my name. I'm from Chongqing. My parents live there with my older sister, Lulu and my munchkin cat, Jianguo.."
"Oh, you have a cat..?"
"He was Yuta's. When he passed away, his family decided to move to a different location and they couldn't bring him along so his mom gave him to me and now my parents take care of it cause I live far away.."
"Oh..he didn't mention to me that he had a cat.."
"Are you allergic or something..?"
"No. But I don't like furry things.."
"That's why. Anyway, I will celebrate my 30th birthday on October 5th.."
Yibo looked at Zhan and smiled inwardly and Zhan understood why, pouting and rolling his eyes at the man poking fun at him.
"30 is not old, Wang Yibo.."
"I didn't say anything. But, I will be very glad to celebrate your birthday
with you, baby and I'm sure that
you will still look beautiful even in your 40's or 50's.."
"Stop teasing me, baby.."
"I'm not. Okay, continue.."
"Okay. Well, I went to the same university as Yuta and our other best friend, Yubin. I took up the Graphic Design course. I prefer staying at home and knit. I love spicy foods, but with precautions of course. You already know that I can't drink and I am a workaholic and I enjoy it a lot even though several doctors repeatedly told me not to push my self out too much.."
"Oh, so that's Yubin whom you mentioned earlier with Ji li.."
"Yes. I stayed with him when I was in Shanghai. He was also the one who persuaded me to come back here and talk to you.."
"I never met Yubin but, I think we will get along.."
"I hope so. He is a bit talkative unlike you.."
"That's okay. A friend of yours is a friend of mine. And, you mention knitting..?"
"Yeah. My mom taught me when I was a kid.."
"I see. That's nice. My mom loved to knit as well. Could've been nice to introduce you to her.."
The older's eyes narrowed a little and creased when Yibo sadly talked about his Mother. He twisted his body and faced Yibo but hesitated to ask and Yibo, who saw Zhan's confused face gazing straight at him, looked down and answered without reluctances.
"Both our parents died years ago in a car accident. Mom's older brother, our Uncle then took us in and became our guardian.."
Zhan suddenly felt scared, whenever he hears death, his stomach seems to knot inside but most of all, he felt miserable and guilty for Yibo. He couldn't imagine the trauma he had endured over the years after losing his parents then Yuta. Extra luggage of concern for his already piled up pressure inside. "How in the world will I be able to tell him now. I can't be the reason for him hurting again. If he finds out he will leave me for sure. He has had enough hurt. I can't..", Zhan thought. Yibo stared at his lover whose face became pale all of a sudden and started to worry. He touched his cheeks and tried to call for him which made Zhan flinch a little.
"Zhan..?"
"Ohh, sorry.."
"Are you okay..? You look pale. Something bothering you..?"
Zhan shook his head and softly tapped his cheeks, changing the topic instantly to not make Yibo suspect even more.
"I'm fine. Hey, that's why Haikuan only mentioned your Uncle earlier and not your parents. I'm sorry, baby.."
"I moved on. People should, right? Nothing stays permanently.."
"Hey, you! I will stay with you for as long as you want, if you will let me, Yibo.."
"Of course. You're here to stay, right..?
"Yes.."
They returned to their original position to be comfortable but, all honesty, he just didn't want to look at Yibo's sad face and start blaming himself again.
"Let's stop talking about me. I'll have my chance later. Back to you, Zhan. You said you love spicy things? There's no wonder in that. You're from Chonqing, You people have a high tolerance for that."
"I guess.."
"Hey, Zhan.."
"Hmm..?"
"I don't want you working yourself out too much. Now that we're together, I don't want you to stress your self from too much work. The doctors are right, it's bad for your health.."
Yibo tickled his ear with a peck and he can only heave a sigh at Yibo's request but, he loves it. It's nice to have someone to after him and worry about him at times, he thought.
"Okay, baby. Whatever you say.."
"Good. Tell me, what are other things you're interested in, Zhan..?"
"Well, in my free time, I enjoy reading, watching movies, and playing the zither.."
"You play the zither..? It was Yuta's favourite Chinese instrument.."
"Yeah, and mine too. I used to play it to him and he would sing his favourite Japanese song along with it.."
"Sakura? He would sing that to me all the time. I even have one recorded on my phone, he didn't know I was recording it though at that time. You wanna see it..?"
"Really..? Yes! I can't n imagine his face when he found out.."
"He was furious.."
Zhan moved forward a bit to make way for his lover to get the phone then returned to Yibo's arms again.
"Here. Haikuan was the one playing the piano.."
He handed the phone to Zhan and both silenced when their favourite person started to sing. It has been so long since they heard Yuta's voice and Yibo, even though kept the video on his phone, still didn't have the heart to listen to it until now for it would only make him miss Yuta more. But now that he is watching it with Zhan, for some odd reasons, it was like Yuta is with him and singing it just beside him.
"You didn't need to understand the lyrics of the song cause he had a way of expressing it through his emotions when he sings it. He was so talented, baby. You were so lucky to have met him and spent years with him before that all happened.."
"Yes, I felt like the luckiest man alive at that time. Even though we had our ups and downs, his issues and everything, I thought we were happy. I thought he was happy. I didn't know how miserable and depressed he felt until that day.."
Feeling like the situation was getting emotional for both of them, Zhan paused the video and turned off the phone. He put it on the bed and faced Yibo to comfort him, not minding the fact that he needs one also.
"He loved you and you loved him, that's the most important thing.."
"I know. I love him so much and I miss him like crazy.."
Zhan's heart ached for a second when Yibo said the phrases but Yibo seemed to forget that he was conversing with his new lover and didn't realize that he was speaking in the present tense and Zhan, not wanting to be jealous again, only listens while falsifying a smile. When Yibo finally came back to his senses, he smiled and looked at the man in front of him but didn't notice a single thing.
"Hey Zhan, you also sing right..?"
"Yes? How did you know?"
"I heard you once. Remember when I picked you up at your workplace..? On our way here, you had your earphones on and was singing in the car until you dozed off.."
"Oh, that.."
"Yes. It was beautiful. I loved it. You were singing that old song that my dad used to listen to when I and Haikuan were little kids.."
"Time in a bottle.."
"Yes, that.."
Zhan, still a little out of it, smiled and crawled a bit towards his Yibo again to hide in his embrace and Yibo, gladly spread his arms for the yearning man. They were now laying down and Zhan put his ear near
"Zhan.."
"Hmm..?"
"Tell me how you and Yuta met.."
"You're not sleepy yet..?"
"No. You..?"
"No, but, It's super late, baby. Are you sure you want to continue..?"
"Hmm.."
"Okay.."
~•~
ZHAN POV
(flashback)
I was 15 years old, we just got out of the hospital for my monthly check-up and I was sitting on the bench in the park alone while waiting for my mother who went to the nearby drugstore to buy medicine, and I remember this tall golden trumpet tree beside it. The air was soothing and I remember just watching other people do their thing from afar; chatting, laughing, exercising and were a bit envious of them because I couldn't do the same because since I was born, I have had a weak heart and even just mild movements, I lose my breath. Then, out of the blue, this kid came up to me from behind and suddenly tapped my shoulders, which thankfully didn't give me a heart attack. He walked to my front and extended his hand for a handshake and I was stunned by how beautiful he was that I couldn't move my hand. He had this dark brown curly hair, wearing a white shirt, with a wide smile and was so gorgeous that I could still remember how starstruck I was that my heart started to beat fast.
"Hi! I'm Nakamoto Yuta! What's your name? Why are you sitting here alone? I'm here with my mom and sisters, look, they're over there. You wanna come join us?"
I, on the other hand, was awkward, unstable and didn't know how to mingle with people probably because most of my childhood, I spent only at home and I was homeschooled too because of my condition. He pointed me to where his family were and was surprised when I saw them all waving at me. How can a kid like him be so interested in a stranger like me, and his family too? I thought to myself. I asked him why his family were waving at me and why he came up to me all of a sudden and turns out, he lives only three blocks away from where I live and told me that he would see me sitting alone on the terrace sometimes and would stop to stare for a while. He said that I look lonely and so weak that he tried to talk to me once but hesitated because he thought that I might push him away. I found it creepy that he would do that but, at the same time, I felt happy in the sense that someone was willing to talk to me even though I wasn't so friendly-looking at that time.
I stood from where I was seated and before I could talk, he grabbed my hand and walked me towards his family who was all smiling at me. I couldn't do anything about his grip and so just decided to go willingly with him but, just after a few steps, mind that he was dragging me at that point, I began to lose my breath. Not knowing about my condition, he continued to walk and I started to feel a slight pressure on my chest. I guess I startled him a bit when I pulled my hand harshly away from his clasp but, I'd rather be rude than to collapse to the ground. He gazed at me while I catch some air and struggle to stay calm but then, I felt a hand on my back, stroking and patting it gently. I didn't know why but, his hand made me feel okay, through his warm hand, it was telling me that everything is gonna be alright and when I looked at him, I felt relieved. Sounds cliché but, at that time, I felt like he healed me.
That smile, I lived for that smile and you could've never guessed at the time that behind it, existed something dark.
I've never been comfortable around anyone else, especially not around strangers but, he was different. It was like, I've known him for so long that I could say how kind and fascinating he is. "I'm okay..", I said to him, and he knew instantly that I was lying. For some reasons, he understood and that's when I knew that we're gonna be together for a long time.
When I was feeling a bit okay, we slowly walked to his family. I had a chance not to continue but I did and boy, let me tell you right now how glad I am that I did. When we finally made it to where his family is, everyone stood up and bowed to me like I was royalty or something, which was a bit embarrassing for me cause I didn't know what to do exactly. They all noticed that I was uncomfortable and so his younger sister, Mei came to me and held my hand then dragged me to where she was standing. She sat down and motioned me to sit beside her and that's how we became close basically. She is the cutest, chubby and tomato cheeks, the little sister I never had and the person who suffered the most trauma when his big brother, who she looked up to all her life, died. And there's Onesan, Keiko, who became my second best older sister, the one who treats and spoil me like his own little brother and Yuta was kinda jealous of that at first but, he knew his big sister well, the kindest, who loved her little brother the most.
Then, there's Okasa, who didn't treat me any less than her son. She and my mom became best friends too, by the way. She cooks the most amazing rice omelette and every time I would go to their house for a visit or vice versa, she always has rice omelette ready for me. It was like my comfort food and I would ask her to make me some whenever I feel down and she would every time. She even taught my mom her secret so that when she is not around, my mom can cook it instead for me, and I was very thankful for that.
So, back at the park. I introduced my self as politely as possible and so did they. They were just laughing and chatting and I was just watching them go but, funny thing was, even though I just met them, It felt like I've known them forever and it was nice to be a part of something. There's a different kind of food laying on the mat too, Oh, and I forgot to mention that they were having a little picnic at that time 'cause it was a pleasant day and I remember staring at the food who looked pleasing and I think Yuta saw me looking at it confusedly and started to chuckle.
That's when the real conversation started. In between explaining the delicacies to me, they also explained how they ended up in China, the reason why they left Japan and I think that was the very first time I saw Yuta's face change from being cheerful to gloomy. You know that, right? It was because of his father who died of a serious illness. His family left Osaka because of his sudden death and they couldn't move on from it especially Yuta who considered his father as his hero. A 5-year-old boy doesn't deserve to go through with that and I think that's where his depression and anxiety started and also the reason why he was so protective of me because he was afraid that he would lose me too.
But, what he didn't realize was that we were the ones afraid to lose him.
So, we continued to talk and I heard my mom calling out to me, she was so worried that she thought for a second that I was missing. I waved at her and she walked to where we were and Yuta's mom greeted her and so did everybody else and, that's how our story started.
After that one faithful day, everything changed for me. I wasn't the same Xiao Zhan anymore and thank God every day for meeting them. I thank him every day for sharing Yuta with me for so many years and I thank him now for giving you to me, Yibo.
TO BE CONTINUED...
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This chapter is kinda sad for me💔
Anyways, please tell me what you think of this Chapter. Your comments mean a lot to me❤
The Tourist is coming next❤
XoXo!💞