Cold breeze blowing around the busy street. Blinking lights that is playing with the eyes. People rushing back to their homes. To celebrate the awaited night of the year.

It's Christmas night again. Christmas songs are playing, children's roaming around the streets to sing a Christmas carol. Families are celebrating together. Exchanging gifts to each other. A happiness that's plastered to their faces that can't be compared with anything.

But...

But despite these happiness, there's a person who is again feeling the sorrowful night.

The night that he doesn't want to remember.

The night when he lost the person he loves.

The only person that trust him, his whole being, despite whom he was in the past.

He reaches the photo of his love with his wrinkled hand. Caressing it into his heart.

"It's been more than three decades now, but it feels like it just happened yesterday... I miss you.", the old man said, flowing tears on his eyes.

~~~~

IT'S Christmas Eve and it is the best day for the teenage boy to do his dirty deed.

He roamed around his sight. Searching for a person that will be his next victim for the night. Then a good-looking person caught his attention.

An angelic looking person that take his breathes away. A man that is giving small gifts to every children he passed. A naughty smile creeped on his lips.

"What a perfect target for tonight.", he said.

He started walking towards that person. He purposely bumped that man, causing the latter to drop the open bag he is holding. Scattering around the contents inside.

"Oh my! .... I'm sorry.", he fakes apologize

The man's wallet landed at his feet.

'What a lucky day', he smirks

He crunches down, picking up the wallet and hastily hid it under his coat.

He then pretends to help the man, who is now collecting his scattered things. After collecting the man's last belonging, he goes towards him, giving the things he picked.

"Here.", he extends his arms, giving the belongings of the man.

"Thanks", said the man and smiled at him. Showing its bunny teeth that makes him more attractive.

He dazed for awhile. Admiring the man's handsomeness. Living for seventeen years of his existence, this is the first time he got attracted to a person. He has been seeing handsome men and beautiful women, but this person is giving him a different vibe. There is something he felt about him that he can't explain and made him an exemption.

"I-I'm really sorry.... I.. I really didn't mean it.", he said after recovering.

The man smiled again on him.

"It's okay... Don't worry about that.", said the man and bid his goodbye.

Seeing the man is so kind to him, he felt so guilty of stealing the latter's wallet.

He fished the wallet inside his coat. Look at it and to the man that is walking away from him. He has this urge of returning it to the man. The man just didn't make him attracted to him, but also made him change his perspective.

Living in a cruel world, full of underestimating people. Him being orphan since the young age of ten and stealing is his only way to survive in a vague world he's living.

Him receiving inhumane treatment and humiliation from the people around him. He already buries the thought to his young mind, that he can not trust people around him and they will only take advantage of his weakness.

But meeting that man, that is a full stranger to him, but treated him like a human being. He sees him as his light to his dark life. And he won't waste the opportunity that's given to him.

He followed the man, until they reach an average size house. The man entered the house. He then saw the lights turned on inside.

A moment later, he decided to go in front of the house and knock the door. After a three knocks the door open.

"Oh?.. It's you again... What brings you here, little lad?", the man greeted him with a sweet smile.

He again feels being drowned by the man's smile. It's making him feel delighted.

".... I-I ... Ahm... I j-just wanted to give this back to you.", he said with his flustered face and fished out the wallet he stole, giving it back to the man.

The latter is shocked and the thought that the man will shout at him and say that he steals it. But, he is wrong, the man smiled at him even wider and ruffles his hair.

"What a good boy... I thought I totally lost it.. Thanks to you..?"

"Yibo", he said while blushing.

"Thank you, Yibo.", said the man and he responds with 'Hm'.

"By the way, I'm Xiao Zhan.", the man introduces. "...Ahm.. Why don't you come inside? I cooked too much today but I don't think I can finish them all... So if it's okay with you, I want to invite you inside and to thank you properly for returning my wallet.", Zhan offered to him.

Yibo nodded his head, and Zhan let him enter the house. The older make him sit on a small sofa in the living room and wait for him because he's going to arrange the food on the dining.

Yibo scanned the place. There's a few furnitures that are well placed inside, he can say that the man is minimalist. The place is also neat, that you can't saw any dust.

While scanning the place, a photo got his attention. A photograph of Xiao Zhan and a beautiful woman. They are so happy in the photo, somewhat, he felt his heart clench seeing it. He doesn't know why but it makes him feel hurt. The feeling is so foreign to him, and he doesn't know what is it.

He was drown to his thoughts that he didn't notice the man besides him.

"Yibo!", Zhan said and tap his shoulder.

"W-What is it Mr. Xiao?", the younger said.

Zhan chuckles

"Just call me Zhan-ge. It felt like I'm an old man already when you call me that."

He flushed red, by the thought of him calling Xiao Zhan as his gege. He's so glad that there's someone wants to be his gege, even his own cousins doesn't want to be his gege.

"O-Okay, Zhan-ge.", - Yibo

"Come on, let's eat... The food is ready.", Zhan said and take him to the dining.

He saw many foods are served, like sesame chicken, crab Rangoon, egg rolls, wanton soup, and many more that is new to his eyes.

"Here eat this, Yibo.", Zhan said, placing a bunch of food to the latter's plate.

Yibo gladly accept it all. He's been overwhelmed by the gesture of the older. Finally, since he lost his parents, there's a person that will care for him.

"Thank you, Zhan-ge."

They happily ate their dinner. Chitchatting and laughing together, that can be heard all over the dining. The happiness that the younger feeling is incomparable and don't want it to end. He wanted it to last forever.

After the dinner, Zhan decided to send Yibo home.

"It's late now, Bo-di.. I'll send you home. Your parents might be worried about you."

"I don't have one.", Yibo said. Sadness are all written to his face.

"W-What do you mean?", worried Zhan ask.

"My parents are long gone, and I don't have home.", - Yibo

Zhan felt a pang in his heart to the latter's statement.

"H-How about your relatives?", - Zhan

"...I have but... But they didn't treat me well, so I decided to leave.", he truthfully said.

".. Then, where are you staying now?", - Zhan said full of concern.

"I've been staying in the street.", Yibo said in a low voice.

"Since when?", Zhan said in serious tone.

"Huh?", - Yibo

"Since when have you been living like that?", - Zhan

"Since I was ten... It's been seven years now... I've been s-stealing since then to survive.", he said honestly.

The older keep his gaze at him seriously, waiting for him to continue. He then decides to tell the truth to the older, and he didn't want to lie to him anymore.

"... A-And when I-I bumped to y-you earlier, I purposely did it t-to steal from you... I-I'm s-sorry, Zhan-ge.", he said looking at the older's eyes. Wanting to know what he was thinking about him after he confessed his crime. He will accept it if the older will get mad at him and chase him away, because he knows that he deserves it.

Zhan just stare at him sternly. He was bewildered by the younger's statement. He sighed and walks closer to the latter.

Yibo stare at Zhan coming closer to him. He was ready to be beaten up by the older, cause he knows what he did is wrong. He saw Zhan rises his hands, and he immediately close his eyes, waiting to be hit, but instead he felt an arms wrapped around him. He automatically opened his eyes and became stiff, realizing that the older is hugging him.

He doesn't know why, but he feels relieved. Being with the warm embrace of the older makes him relax and comfortable. Feeling the warmth, he was receiving, it was like saying to him that he will be not alone anymore, that there will be a person that will protect him to the cruel world and make him safe.

Unconsciously, tears flowed out his eyes and start weeping. Zhan broke the hug. Cupped his face and wipe the tears from his eyes using his thumbs.

Zhan look at him and chuckles.

"Why are you crying?"

He looks at Zhan with his teary eyes.

"A-Aren't you *hiccup* m-mad at m-me, Zh— *hiccup* Z-Zhan-ge?"

"Why would I?", Zhan said while ruffling his hair.

"... Because I-I stole *hiccup* from y-you...", Yibo said, feeling ashamed of what he did.

"Silly boy! It doesn't matter, okay?", Zhan said

He nods

"The more important now is that you won't do it again, okay?... Promise me.", Zhan said and show his pinky finger.

Yibo stand straight, lift his hand up and intertwined their pinkies.

"Promise!"

💗💗💗

SINCE then, Wang Yibo stayed with Xiao Zhan. He again continues his studies with the help of Zhan. At first, he refused because it's not necessary but the older insisted that he should have to finish his studies. The younger only agrees if after he finished graduate he will repay Zhan and leaving with no other choice the latter agreed with his request.

For eight months living together, the younger can't help himself of forming a romantic feeling to the older. He didn't know when it started, but everytime that Zhan is with someone else, he felt enraged and wants to rip apart that person. And he just wants to hide his Zhan-ge away from his every competitor.

And today is the day he wanted to confess to the older. He doesn't know if the older will reciprocate his feelings but he will take the risk, just to be with the other.

After gathering enough courage, he takes his step forward and marches to Zhan's room.

' I can do this, there's no turning back Yibo!', he thought encouraging himself.

He took a deep breath before knocking the older's door.

"Come in.", he heard the older said inside.

Yibo open the door and got surprised by Zhan, who is half-naked facing him and drying its hair with a small towel.

The younger eyes roamed to the older's body, to its wide shoulder, broad chest, biceps, and to it's well toned abs. Yibo gulp hard, keep staring and drooling over the other male's body.

"Liking the view?", Zhan teased him and walk towards the younger then stop in front of Yibo.

Yibo that's still being mesmerized, he unconsciously said, "Y-Yes, I like— No, I love it."

The older got shocked by the younger's straightforwardness but chuckles afterwards.

Yibo after realizing what he said, his eyes widened and immediately cover his lips. He internally curses his self on what he just said to the older, but he remembers what's the purpose why he's in the older's room.

He composed himself and look at the older seriously.

"Zhan-ge.... I have something to tell you."

Zhan nod and signaled him to continue.

"....I want to say that, I—... I love you, Zhan-ge!", He sincerely said.

The older became speechless 'cause of his sudden confession.

Yibo sigh. He comes closer to the older and cup its face.

"... I know that it's too sudden but— but this is what my heart's telling me... It keep on pounding everytime I saw you, Zhan-ge... Zhan-ge I-I really loved you.", - Yibo

He leans closer and captures Zhan's lips with his, closing his eyes.

Zhan got startled at first, but he then responds to the kiss.

They share a soft passionate kiss, it's full of love and tenderness.

After awhile, the kiss became aggressive. The older slipped his tongue to the younger's mouth, tasting it's cavern. Yibo's body trembled because of the overwhelming sensation that Zhan's giving him.

He snaked his arms around the older's neck to prevent himself from falling and the older hold tightly on his small waist.

Zhan then take him to the bed without breaking the kiss. The older sat on the bed and let the younger sit on his lap.

The kiss became more wilder and wilder every seconds passes. They're devouring each other's mouth, tasting every corner of their lips. When Zhan felt that Yibo is out of breath, he decided to broke the kiss and link their foreheads together.

"Are you sure about it, Bo-di?", The older asked.

".. Y-Yes! I'm sure about it... I .. I'm deeply in love with you, 'ge.", Yibo said, still catching his breath.

"Maybe you're just confused with your feelings towards me.", - Zhan

"I'm not Zhan-ge... I-I already felt it from the very beginning I met you— and it grow even more when you accepted me to who am I, even if what I did in the past.", The younger said directly staring at the older's eyes.

"Bo-di... You're just feeling that because I help you... And I'm too old for you, you're still young, you'll meet more different people in your life and it might change in time passes. I don't want you to regret it someday, Bo-di.", - Zhan

Yibo felt hurt by what the older said, but he's determined to prove his love to the other.

He pouted and whined, "I am sure about my feelings towards you 'ge. It won't change a bit even if I meet different people in my life, because you are the only one who can make my heart beat always and beat only for you... And I don't care about our age gap Zhan-ge, just like what other people said that it doesn't matter of what age, gender or race are you from if you fell in love, and that's what I feel for you... And most importantly you're only thirty for God's sake 'ge, so please— please don't doubt about my love for you, Zhan-ge."

Zhan chuckles and locked the younger to his embrace.

"F*ck it!.... How can you be this so cute?", Zhan exclaimed and make Yibo snuggle to him more.

Yibo was puzzled by the older's action, but he became flabbergasted on what Zhan said next.

"... I love you too, Bo-di!..."

The younger is so surprised, he broke the hug and look straight at the older with his shock face.

"... W-What did y-you say?.."

Zhan held the younger's hand and place it onto his heart.

Yibo felt the heart of the older beating so fast. He looks at Zhan's face, and a tint of red can be seen all over its face and also to its both ears.

"Can you feel it?", Zhan said and look at Yibo's eyes, " That's my heart beating everytime I saw you... You don't know how much I keep restraining myself when you're around, because I don't want to be a freak in front of you... I don't want to scare you or make you uncomfortable if I approach you in romantic way. That's why I keep it by myself, but after you confess to me, the wall I build from preventing myself broke, and I don't think I can hold it any longer.", Zhan close the gap between them.

"I love you, Wang Yibo!", Zhan said and interlock their lips.

🌹🌹🌹

SIX YEARS have passed. Yibo finished his studies and currently working as a Executive Manager in a well known company in China, also as a dance instructor, since he loves dancing. Zhan still running his art gallery and his own art school that he recently build two years ago, but despite of being a new art school many students are enrolling each day.

Their relationship is perfect, scratch the times if they have an argument, but a day won't pass without any of them would admit his mistake and apologies to the other. They are living happily, contented of what they have and don't have.

Many people admired their relationship, but there's always people who won't understand them and be disgusted on them. Living in a country that didn't accept who they are is not easy. They always received insult from others, but instead of being angry, they just shrugged it off since they are not stepping on any other people. They will share their blessings they are receiving to the other people on donating and doing charity work, that they really loved to do.

"Hey, Yibo!", Haikuan called, tapping Yibo's shoulder, who is busy doing his task.

Yibo look up on him with questioned face.

"Here." Haikuan gave a gift to him " Merry Christmas" he said to Yibo, and Yibo happily accept the gift.

"A here's also for Zhan." Haikuan said and hand another gift to the latter.

"Thank you Ge... And Merry Christmas." Yibo said and also give Haikuan his gift.

Except on Xiao Zhan, Haikuan is the second closest to him. He was the one who help him when he was still new to the company and since then they treat each other as siblings. They would also exchange their thoughts about their lovers, him to his Zhan-ge and Haikuan to Zhuocheng. They were in the same situation of being hated by many people who doesn't accept who they are, that's why they understand and support each other.

Time passed by and work is already over.

"Let us drive you home.", Zhuocheng offered Yibo.

"Thanks, but Zhan-ge said he'll pick me up."

"Okay.. Merry Christmas again, please greet us a Merry Christmas to Zhan too." Zhuocheng said and bid their goodbye to Yibo.

Yibo have been standing infront of their company for almost an hour but Zhan haven't arriving yet. His feet are getting numb but he stay on his spot for another hour. He check his watch and it's almost midnight, it's almost Christmas. He keep on waiting until his phone rings. He hastily pick it up without checking who's the caller.

"Hello." He said

"Is this Mr. Xiao's relatives?", The other line said.

He got confused and check the caller and it's Zhan's number. He began feeling cold and his hand shaking.

" Y-Yes I am.", He utter, almost whisper.

" Mr. Xiao had an accident and is in critical condition in XXXX hospital."

After hearing those, Yibo's tears started flowing and his world stop. His legs became numb, slamming his body on the ground. He can't believe on what he have heard. He tried going to the hospital even though he barely walk.

Arriving at the hospital, he goes to the information desk and ask where is Zhan. After receiving the answer hurriedly run to the ER. He reach there exactly when the lights have been turned off, indicating that operation is done. A doctor and few nurses came out, he rushed towards them.

"How is Zhan-ge? Is he alright? Where is he?", He frustratedly ask, doesn't know what to do if something bad happens to his Zhan-ge.

The doctor look at him and give a deep sigh.

" We did everything we could do to save him, but... But he is gone, I'm sorry "

Yibo stood there still, absorbing the news. He didn't know what to do, the doctor just said that his Zhan-ge is gone. He can't accept it. The look at the doctor and punch him in the face. The doctor stumbled back, losing his balance. Yibo punch him again and grip it's collar.

"HOW DARE YOU SAY HE'S GONE... MY ZHAN-GE IS STILL ALIVE, DO SOMETHING YOU'RE NOT THE ONE WHO'S GONNA DECIDE THAT!!", he was enraged, a fist again landed on the doctor's face repeatedly.

Many have been stopping him but he keep resisting, he's venting his anger to the people who are holding him. He can't accept the fact that the person he trust and love the most is already gone.

"Please save him.. Please!!", He pleaded

The nurses got no choice but to inject him anesthesia

"Please s-save my Zhan-ge. I-Im beg-begging you" he sobbed miserably before swallowed by deep sleep.

💍💍💍

Yibo have been woken up by his aching head. He roamed his sight and found himself in a hospital bed. He hear a knock of the door and it opened, a police man entered the room.

" We're sorry for your lose." The cop started

Yibo just slowly nod his head.

"We have investigate about Mr. Xiao accident... Mr. Xiao is truly a hero.", The cop slightly smile to him.

He just look at the cop with questioning look.

" As per we got the CCTV footage and also the statement of the witnesses, there's a boy tried to walk pass the pedestrian, but high speed truck is approaching the boy. The truck is out of control seen it's break is broken. As Mr. Xiao is passing by near and realized of what will happened, he didn't think twice, saving the boy's life and sacrificing his own life." The cop explained.

Subconsciously, Yibo didn't realize his tears flowing on his cheeks.

"We found this to him, he tightly gripping it and didn't let go until his last breath. It was really important to him and we think that it was for you." The cop handed him a small box.

He look at the small box and slowly open it. A simple yet elegant white gold ring was inside. He tried it on his ring finger and it was perfectly fit to him, it was really for him. He can't help but weep again.

▫️▫️▫️

Yibo was sitting beside Zhan's body, caressing it's already pale face. Stroking every corner of Zhan's face, memorising every features on it cause it is the last time that he will touch and look at it. He then hold the latter's hand that where is the matching ring he has on. He kiss the back of it's hand and intertwined it.

"Zhan-ge is so unfair, you said that we will always be together but— here y-you are, living m-me behind." He bitterly laugh at the thought "I hate you Zhan-ge, you really broke your promise... But I, I promise you that you will always be at my heart... I love you, Zhan-ge." Yibo said, leaning closer to Zhan and for the very last time he kissed him.

~~~~

"Zhan-ge, have you remember it was the same day we met, I was really happy that day that there's a person wholeheartedly accept me for who am I... I'm really grateful to you and so lucky to have you in my life— even if I'm just a short period of time, I feel the happiness that I was longing for... But it really hurts when it's the same day, the God decided to take you from me. " Yibo sigh, remembering that night. "Do you still remember the boy you save that night?", He pause, look at the photo he's holding. "He's a fine gentleman now... He was just like you... A-Yuan was so gentle and kind, he always visit me here and saying that even if it's more than a three decades now, he's really grateful to you, for saving his life. He will never forget you, we never forget you."

Yibo laid on his bed, hugging the photo of his beloved. Closing his eyes, until he drowned in a complete darkness.

.
.
.
.

"Yibo.", a soft gentle voice is calling his name.

"Yibo.", he again heard the familiar voice.

Yibo slowly open his eyes. He was greeted by a blinding light. He covered his eyes with his hand.

"Yibo.", again that familiar voice called him again.

He removed his hand on his eyes. He notice that his hand is not wrinkled anymore. Yibo, blink twice and check again and it didn't change, he's back in his youth.

Then a gentle hand caressed his cheek, he lift his head. He was bewildered on what he have seen, and a rich tears escape his eyes.

"Zhan-ge"