~2 months after Akio's Soul Transfusion~

~Modern Timeline~

Xiao Zhan's POV:

Hearing a crash on the front porch I look at the time on my watch and note it's 4am. With a sigh and shaking my head I walk towards the main door and observe a very drunk Yibo doubling over the banister and vomiting the non existent contents from his gut.

Holding his waist so that he does not fall, I place Yibo's one arm around my shoulders and support his body as we walk in. He reeks of alcohol. Trudging through the hallway we enter his bedroon and walk into the bathroom where a tub filled with warm water awaits him. Kneeling down I untie his shoes and throw away the socks inside hamper, unbuckling the belt around his waist I drag those leather pants away. Making my way up I tug the shirt over his head as it lolls sideways. Good, atleast today he is not being rowdy.

Biting back my pain when I see scars on his body, holding his wrist I nudge him to enter the tub and soak himself in. Pouring some bodywash onto a sponge I gently lather Yibo's skin and his sigh teases my ears.

A moment later he questions in daze, "How long are you going to be this way with me?"

As long as you want?

"I slept with a women today." He turns to grin and even though his words tear my heart open they refuse to sway. Without another word I continue to take care of him when he hums, "Her body is so soft. I think we'll hook up again. She gave me her phone number." He winks at me and continues, "Her boyfriend was a hot fuck too. Hm, I loved pounding that ass. Maybe I'll submit this time."

My hands still as my eyes trail over the bite mark on his shoulders.

"I am leaving tomorrow." His words makes my breathing falter. "I am going back to my place. Will get the movers and packers to collect Akio's goods and will take them back to my place or donate them all."

My throat constricts.

"Aren't you going to say something?" His voice is harsh and I sigh, "As you wish." Handing him the sponge I leave without another word and traverse back to my room. Reminiscing back to that day when Akio's soul was transferred, both of us could never forget those moments which transpired aftermath.

~2 months ago~

As Lan Wangji pushed me out of the array, Yibo is quick to catch my fall. Together we witness Lan Wangji pierce Akio's heart with Chenqing and Wei Wuxian's soul wrenching yell. Bliding light envelopes us all and I use my body to shield Yibo completely.

Moments later everything went back to as normal as it could be, save that there was no one in front of us, except Akio's lifeless body in He Xuan's arms. His skin was pale and blood trailed from He Xuan's lips.

"Wang Yibo, Xiao Zhan." With a bow he places Akio's body on the ground with respect and smiles sadly, "The transfusion is complete and his soul now resides in Gusu." Stating those words he vanishes and Yibo staggers back at the sight of his brother.

From then on everything spiralled out of my control. Once all the formalities were performed, Mac and Blake came over and cried their heart out. Seiji and GG were unable to come to terms with Akio not being around and Oreo just stopped coming home, but one to be affected the most is Yibo. Locking himself inside his room, he didn't come out for a week and when he did, seldom spoke to me.

One night he went to Red's and from then on would return home completely drunk. He stopped going to the racecourse, he stopped attending calls, he just stopped living. But what broke my heart is that he came back marked in lovebites and boasted about sleeping with a guy.

My heart could not stand the pain and I knew my Dai Tou is no longer mine. He probably did not even want me smothering him, but how could I stop? Xiao Zhan can never stop loving his Dai Tou. So I had made up my decision to give him his space and when he wishes to return, these arms would happily accept him back.

Until then I will wait.

A knock at my door shakes me from my numbness. Upon opening the door I find Yibo at the other end, draped in low waist towel, water dripping from his hair and eyes laced with anger. Before I could process the scenario he is quick to push me against the wall and trap my arms behind my back.

"Who the fuck do you think you're? Why is that one minute you're warm and the next fucking second you're cold? Why is it that your eyes plead me to stay but your mouth says another? Why the fuck have you gone back to being Mr. Frost when right now I need my Xiao Zhan the most!?"

What?

Just as I open my mouth he growls and crashes his lips against mine only to bite them causing me pain. Oh my. The effect is totally opposite.

"Shut the fuck up!" This time as he places his lips against mine, I was ready for an assault, but in contrast to before, he is gentle like a cool breeze in summer night. Moving away his eyes sway between mine, "I didn't sleep with anyone. I couldn't. But those marks that you saw were true. I am in pain Xiao Zhan. When they tried to kiss me, I let them thinking this soul is not good enough for you. Haven't I troubled you enough?"

Taking a step back a lone tear falls, "But I couldn't kiss them back. I couldn't seek the warmth from them. You've ruined me Xiao Zhan. Your warmth has ruined everyone else's for me. I wanted to come back to you, but my heart couldn't bear your coldness towards me. Help me. I'm stuck in purgatory, Xiao Zhan. If you don't want me then let me go. Let me free so that I don't turn around to look at you with every step I take forward. Tell me you don't want me and I'll walk away from here forever. Just say-" I don't let him complete those words. Crushing him into my arms I seek his lips urgently and a moment of suprise takes over his body but not for long. Soon we were a body of limbs passionately locked in love and forgiveness.

Placing him gently on my bed I worship his mouth with mine.

"Don't go." I kiss his lips as his eyes glaze. "Don't leave me." With another kiss I continue, "Let me ruin you a lot more. Forever is the word I am looking for." Another kiss, "Stay by my side." A peck on his lips, "You've already ruined me too, Dai Tou."

At that nickname his eyes well up and I lick the one that trails down, "Sorry. I wasn't cold towards you or that wasn't my intention. I was just protecting my heart, Dai Tou. I cannot fathom you sharing your soul with another person. I am sorry."

"You stopped calling me Dai Tou. You went back to addressing me as Wang Yibo or Yibo. How could I have known, Xiao Zhan?"

"I am sorry." Kissing his lips I place mine on his eye and wipe away his sorrow. "You mean so much to me."

"Enough for you to claim my ass?" At his question I blink and when he laughs my cheeks burn. Tucking my face in his neck I laugh and he joins me.

We aren't quite there yet but along the way we are healing together. One day I'll make him mine. That's a promise to Akio and myself.