Yibo hardly awakes from the daze because medicine effect and slowly sits up on the bed. someone keeps knocking on the door and detective frowns, as he has no will to see anyone. mom checks him with worrying expression when door opens and pets Yibo's hair

"are you ok? I was scared you would act like that time"

"mn, I'm ok" Yibo mumbles and leans at the wall "do you need something mom?"

"how many pills did you take? you need to face reality Yibo, things like this will keep happening you know"

"I just need some time, can you leave me alone?"

"someone is here to see you" mom moves away and Yibo's eyes widens noticing man standing behind her. guest smiles widely and hides stained hands into pocket. his hair and clothes looks messy, giving impression of person who just woke up "is he your friend? very adorable"

"old, very old friend. isn't that right good boy?"

"Mn" Yibo still can't realize is this reality or just dream "why are you here...Zhan?"

"It's been long since we last met, I was missing you" Zhan walks into his room without invitation and sits down on the bed. Yibo smiles at his mom and closes the door behind, turning to the Zhan. there is weird feelings filling his mind, but Yibo is too exhausted to make any decision. detective takes wet wipers from the shelf and gently holds Zhan's wrist, as he shivers on the touch.

"you're cold"

"this happens when you're drained from emotions"

"that is why I came here, to share my warmth"

"you're such a messy painter, aren't you?" Yibo asks with soft tone and keeps Zhan's hands between his huge palms after done cleaning "somehow Sean always disappears after we experience something stressful and you show up to comfort me. I'm starting to get it all. you're just shield he uses right?"

"I don't understand what are you talking about"

"do you mind taking your shirt off?" Yibo grabs his collar and pulls Zhan closer "if there is no wound on your chest I'm apologizing and believing everything you say, but..."

"if there is?"

"I don't know. I'm just scared, I'm scared to death" Yibo's hands falls down along his body and Zhan manages to take him into his arms "I can already guess what is going to happen and it scares me. think I already know the truth, but prefer to stay in the darkness. I'll trust you, I'll trust you both"

"let me see" Zhan holds his chin and bends down, touching Yibo's forehead with his lips "you're burning, I'll bring the medicine"

"no need, just stay with me" Yibo cuddles at him more and low whimper which escapes from Zhan makes him more sure "you're best medicine I can ever get. so soft and warm"

"I think you're hallucinating because of fever, I'm not the one you love good boy"

"I promised to bring him home alive, but his poor mother...she could only hold her child's lifeless body. she was desperately trying to warm him, but Chen was cold like ice. every time I try to sleep he appears in my dreams and blames me for his death. that pain and disappointment in his eyes gonna haunt me to my death. that man...I'm so ready to kill him with my own hands"

"don't trust them, just because they're pretty" Zhan suddenly stops Yibo and his eyes shows strong sadness

"what?"

"this is what my brother kept saying. As someone who adored pretty things...I trusted him too"

"Who do you mean Zhan?"

"I should believe, I should trust my brother but... Xiao Zhan was always too naive, too innocent. I thought...everyone would love and protect me like my brother. that man with deep beautiful eyes and lovely smile. How could I imagine that there was real Satan hiding behind his soft appearance. I was wrong, but it's too late already. I had to pay for my mistakes" Zhan leans down and rests forehead on Yibo's chest "at the end it's Sean and you who is going to win and when it happens...I have something go gift you"

"Gift? May I know what is it?"

"Surprise, that is going to be surprise" Zhan caresses Yibo's face and suddenly covers his eyes with his palm. Detective gasps, feeling softness on his lips and is about to avoid kiss but Zhan stops by himself and pats his chest "don't worry, I know who do you belong to. I think we gonna meet later, but maybe not in the pleasant situation. If I won't get chance again...I wanted to have my first and only kiss"

"Zhan..."

"I'll stay here and guide your dreams, so nightmares won't dare to hurt you. you're pretty too Wang Yibo, but I'm not scared. I was never scared of you"

*****

Jiang walks into his flat and stops at the door, as weird smell surprises him. everything around is unusually clear and neat, almost feels like someone else's house. detective moves stare to the table and soft smile shakes his lips. it's been so long since he...

"you're finally home" Lei comes out from the kitchen and Jiang makes cold face again "I was worrying"

"why? I have nowhere to leave, I have no one to..."

"I prepared some dishes, hope you'll like it"

"what are you playing Lei? it's annoying"

"why won't you change clothes and join me at the table? you know very well, that we can't continue living like this. it's been hard for both of us"

"you think we can make it work?"

"I do" Lei nods with smile and Jiang sighs, leaving to his room. maybe it's time to remove that tormenting heaviness from his heart? but what if this means removing Lei from his life too? still they need better communication, that is for sure. Lei is filling their plates, when Jiang sits down and takes attention to the dishes "I didn't order it from restaurant, I swear. YouTube have almost all recipe, you just need to search"

"is this even edible?"

"don't worry. grumpies like you don't die that easily" Lei opens mouth widely to laugh, but stops himself and clears the throat "I tried my best, I put whole heart into cooking for you. I'm ready to do everything for learning your forgiveness"

"don't talk like that. it scares me when you're being serious" Jiang takes the spoon and fills his mouth, not minding kinda unpleasant taste. nothing matter, as long as it has Lei's heart "delicious, it's really delicious"

"really?" Lei's eyes sparks with happiness and Jiang lowers head, feeling he is about to cry "honestly I didn't even know what to cook, what is your favorite. during last days, I realize how much I ignored things about you Jiang. I just took you for granted and it really hurts. thought I knew you best, but actually I know almost nothing about you. I didn't think about your worries and feelings, I was sure you're just ok with things we had"

"don't blame yourself in everything Lei. I knew you're social butterfly and I could never live same life as you. I have no right to try changing you, you're already too good for me"

"you mean much more for me, than you can ever imagine Jiang. maybe from the beginning, since the kindergarten.. I knew you're the one. only person I could rely on, without any worries. only person who could bear my mood swings without any complains. I'm not that stupid and carefree to not notice who is sincere with me, who truly cherishes me. when you..." Lei stops as his voice breaks and hides face between his palms. shaking shoulders makes Jiang guess he is crying and hesitantly touches his arm

"I'm sorry. please just don't cry"

"I'm such a mess right?" Lei forcefully laughs and wipes his tears, pouting at Jiang "why would you apologize? I was very scared when you stopped talking to me. even only thought of losing you made me crazy Jiang. don't you dare to say it again, don't you dare to lower yourself ok? I didn't mean it, I was just feeling guilty for all the time"

"about what?"

"thought I was blocking all your ways, that I was selfish bastard for keeping you next to me. it's just I know...I can never find better friend than you. if you hate me, if you want to leave..."

"I love you...I love you the most" there is too strong emotions and desperation in Jiang's voice, Lei freezes with widen eyes. few minutes of silence passes, until Jiang hears loud sound of their heartbeats. Jiang slightly pushes his body forward, so they get closer and stares at Lei's parted lips. desire wins over and he is ready to risk it all but...

"two best friends in a room they might kiss" seems like you took it very seriously" Lei giggles when their lips are about to touch and moves back, shaking his head "that was close"

"right?" Jiang tries to laugh, but his heart hurts too much it's unbearable. looking at Lei's reaction, he realizes that he almost ruined the most precious thing of his life. that feeling needs to be kept hidden, because it's never going to be welcomed "guess I was too overwhelmed" Jiang smiles and gently messes his hair "let's just eat"

"so is everything...is everything ok now?" Jiang can notice fear in Lei's voice and nods right away, pulling him into hug. He knew that maybe Lei guessed everything, but was never going to mention it for the sake of their friendship

"I'm totally ok as long as you remain by my side. I'm going to do the same and protect your naughty ass like always"

"You bastard" Lei giggles cutely and hardly slaps Jiang's back "I love you too Jiang...I love you friend"

*****

Sean knocks on the door and waits for a while, but there is no reply from inside. Getting irritated he just walks in at the end and looks around. Noticing smoke at the veranda Sean guesses Xu Kai is sitting there. Latter one lowers head feeling someone approaching and throws cigarette away in angry manner.

"What are you doing here?"

"You're out of reach, so I was worrying"

"oh really?" Xu Kai laughs and moves hand backward, signing to leave but Sean stubbornly holds his chin and forces him to look up. younger one's face is covered with fresh wounds, almost unrecognizable. Sean sighs and sits down in front of him, petting his thigh as comfort "can't you mind your own business?"

"was it your dad? because of what happened at the police station? you shouldn't be that reckless"

"why ask, when you already know?"

"does it hurt?"

"not first or last, it doesn't fucking matter but... aren't you pleased? you have been in the same condition thanks to me"

"ok, can't lie that I'm sad. but did you really have to do that? throwing dead body right there, the place where your father works? I'm not surprised he went mad"

"he works there too right?" Xu Kai grins and grabs Sean's arm "I want to hurt him as much as possible. at first I was furious because of him, but now it feels so funny. I'll make his life like hell and the reason? because he dared loving you"

"still killing kid for fun..."

"not trying to make this sound romantic but...I don't wanna lose you"

"what?" Sean's eyes widens with honest surprise and wonders if boy is high on drugs "what is with this sudden sentiments?"

"maybe because you're only one who I wanna kill so bad but can't. it's been so many years and you're still such a mystery for me. no matter how much I try, I can never read your mind. do you remember how we met for the first time?"

"of course. I offered to cover big and dangerous case for you"

"the fact that you knew about my hidden self and dark secrets and just admitted it so easily. do you know..." Xu Kai gently runs hand on Sean's face and sighs "I ordered killing you then, but changed my mind at the last minute. what exactly happened to you, that you're so careless about your life?"

"I just like taking risks. wasn't it worth? I'm very rich thanks to you now"

"Is that all I'm for you?"

"what exactly do you want to hear boss? am I not just toy for you? someone who is ready to do any dirty work and serve you in the bed anytime you wish? how can I see you? Sin...you're sin of my life. there is nothing disgusting left that I haven't done with or because of you"

"say it honestly...you think I'm a monster?"

"yes"

"but does world have any right to ask me being pure? when I got to drink blood, instead of mother's milk? did I have chance to be different? "

"so...let me get this straight" Sean leans forward and deeply looks into Xu Kai's eyes, while his lips forms evil smile "you're not born monster, but turned into one? what kind of comedy genre are you playing right now?"

"do you wanna die?"

"You asked to be honest right? Why complain now?"

"Ok, go ahead"

"people like you are having soft moments sometimes, trying to show themselves as victims. you feel sorry for yourself? do you really think that you're wronged? who was it who made final decision? you enjoy it all, this is only truth"

"are you done?"

"You want me to pity you because of some silly bruises, when you're tearing others up? you aren't loved by your father, but you're leaving others without whole families. you rape, you torture, you sell and kill people...you fucking smile while doing it"

"Sean...I had enough"

"the first crime, which you committed at the age of 15, still makes you excited right? the blood...you adore taste of it"

"are you better than me?" Xu Kai yells and throws Sean down with strong punch. his face becomes like animal, who is about to tear prey to peaces "answer me"

"I'm worst, because I turn blind eyes to everything you do. that is why I'm going to remain next to you until the end, even death...I'm going to follow you" more than words, there is weird look in Sean's eyes what makes Xu Kai shudder. driven with fear he quickly takes huge vase from table and is about to hit doctor's head, but suddenly someone gets between them. Xu Kai falls on the chair, while Dylan helps Sean get up.

"what the hell are you doing? this could kill him" Dylan glares at Xu Kai and gently pushes Sean towards the door "I'm taking him with me"

"Stop right there, how do you dare to touch him?"

"I know you're going to regret later if something happens to him" Sean hides shaking hands into pocket and looks back before leaving. There is more confusion on Xu Kai's face than anger and this is what scares Sean the most. He gets in the car with Dylan and takes napkin from him, wiping blood away "this wasn't first time he hit you, but that looked like murder attempt. What happened Sean, can you tell me?"

"I made huge mistake. I said what he always knew, but never was willing to hear"

"Honestly I'm amazed by you Sean, not everyone can handle that monster this smoothly. this is the reason I was surprised today, seems like you really got on his nerves"

"thank you so much for saving me. you had to leave earlier than me"

"no need, it's ok. let me see" Dylan holds his chin and checks on the wound, not taking attention on the road. noticing kid running to them Sean screams and quickly turns steering wheel, while Dylan presses on the brake. Dylan gets off right away and takes scared boy into his arms, trying to calm him down. Sean can only notice creepy looking woman leaving in hurry and is about to follow, but Dylan stops him "she isn't mother I'm sure. that woman forces kids to ask for money or just throws them to the car for compensation. I'll call police later, after taking him to the safe place"

"alright" Sean takes kid from him and gets in the car, looking at Dylan with confusion "your family owns orphanage right? are you taking him there?"

"yes. do you want to play with other kids dear?" Dylan asks with sweet tone and boy nods, getting comfy on Sean's lap "I'll drop you off at police station if you won't mind, so can take care of him later"

"sure" Sean pets boy's hair and gets off after short hesitation. his attention is still at leaving car, when someone touches his arm. Sean turns back and happiness lit up his eyes seeing Yibo standing in front of him "you're back"

"what happened to your face? who was that man? why are you..." Yibo stops when Sean frowns and clears his throat "I'm sorry for being annoying"

"I had little accident, that is why he drove me here. that man is Dylan, Xu Kai's friend"

"mn"

"what do you think Yibo, can someone close to that asshole have good side? it's hard to read him"

"he is only remaining friend right?" Yibo gets closer and scans Sean's face "is he next one to die?"

"how would I know?" Sean shrugs shoulders and drags Yibo to the entrance "there is still many things I need to know. anyway I'm happy you're back detective Wang Yibo, I was missing you"

So I'm finally back with new chapter. My father was at hospital because of heart problems and I had very stressful month. thanks god things are getting better now. I'm sorry for taking so long again my dear readers, hope you enjoyed ❤️❤️❤️