"Can something make love just fade away?"  Woman answers him, but Yibo can't hear as this question was intended for himself...no one but maybe only time can show how they're going to end up

"Bo di" Zhan runs to him finally freeing himself after giving autographs away and looks down at his hands with hurtful expression "it's all melted already, let's buy another one ok?"

"I don't want and need it anymore" he quickly throws ice-creams in the trash can and turns back. Yibo's voice sounds too cold and upset and he immediately regrets it noticing how Zhan shakes from surprise. Although having kinda rough and deep voice, somehow it was always becoming too soft when he was talking to Zhan but now for the first time he couldn't keep his emotions in "I'm so sorry, don't get me wrong please, it isn't like i'm upset about you gege...just"

"no, you have right to be angry. Gege is very sorry Yibo, I ruined our date, i left you alone"

"No, don't say that please. communicating with fans is your responsibility as actor and famous person, how can i forbid when know you enjoy and love it"

"But I have one too...as your boyfriend" Zhan smiles and is about to hold Yibo's hand but latter one takes step back and avoids it

"May someone see us, let's not take this risk. We can cuddle enough at our home...no gege?" Zhan nods but he knows how much Yibo forces himself to say this words calmly. And the realization everything is going to become worse later and later scares him the most "what are you going to do now? What is your plan for today?"

"To meet my manager, we have some important matters to talk about"

"Mn ok. you can leave, i'll just take the taxi Zhan"

" but Yibo..." Zhan hesitates, unable to find proper words "i'll do my best to not leave you without my attention, to spend enough time with you as before. You believe in me no?"

"It gonna be worst for me, if you stress yourself cause of our relationship gege. I'm really fine trust me, being loved by someone like you is already too much honor for me"

"my sweetest baby, I'll call you later my love" Zhan slightly smiles and looks around, seeing still many people gathered around them he just walks away and gets in the car. He feels his heart crying and unbearable emptiness devours his whole being, first time he didn't hug and kiss Yibo as goodbye, first time he didn't take warmness of his body and lips with him "what do i do? My poor Bo di" he lowly sobs out and looks at him through the front mirror, younger one stands still with his gaze on the ground. Zhan wants to stop himself from thinking about Yibo's feelings, it gonna hurt more, it gonna hurt like hell "we can, we can make it work" he deeply breaths in and starts engine, cheering himself up

***

Yibo gets in the taxi and leans head back asking to just drive straight, somewhere far...he wants to just go somewhere far from this place. Going to check wallet if he has enough money, Yibo puts hand into pocket and gets surprised touching something cold. gege's keys, gosh it was me who closed the door before leaving, Yibo thinks and remembers he has to go home earlier for helping Lily "please take me to the agency" he tells address and fears at the same time, this visit maybe is going to bring more problems for Zhan. Yibo looks around after entering the huge building and wonders where to search for Zhan, recognizing the girl he talked with on the filming set before, Yibo smiles and walks towards her

"Hello, by any chance do you remember me?" He politely bows and girl smiles

"Let me think...oh sure that handsome boy who accompanied Xiao Zhan no? Working in this field needs good skills in remembering people's faces. How can I help you?"

"I need to give something important to him? May I?"

"Yes think it won't be the problem. Follow this corridor until the end and you'll see his name written on the door"

"Thank you so much sis" Yibo reaches Zhan's room and is about to open it when hears kinda loud talk from inside. He doesn't intend to listen but topic of conversation...

"Just what did I do wrong? Simply walking with my friend outside? Am I not allowed?"

"exactly, you aren't anymore. anytime you appear with someone, it doesn't matter man or woman you'll be asked for explanation"

"Manager..."

"Careful, do you hear Zhan? You need to be overly careful now, see? Internet is full of your pictures, fans wondering if you two really were holding hands. dating woman is already big problem and can you even imagine what is going to happen to you if they think you're homosexual?"

"So if I..." Zhan repeats with painful voice and Yibo feels his chest tightening "is world going to hate me? will this fact erase all hard work i went through? will it mean i don't have acting talent anymore?"

"Honestly I don't even care about your sexuality, until you hide it well. Coming in this industry and in our company you became just product Zhan which will be kipped if it sells well. Accepting you at this age was already huge risk for us, so don't make it harder"

"So...everything and everyone what makes me happy is prohibited now? How am I supposed to live? Like robot? by others' expectations?"

"You need to only show the things what fans like. Smile even if you're in the pain, apologize even you aren't the one in blame, show only good examples by your acts, even being perfect is impossible you have to be the one for them. You don't own fans, but they own you and your life" every word hits Yibo's heart like arrow and now he gets more how much Zhan has to endure for doing his fave work, how many shitty and narrow minded people are around him, how many dilemmas he is facing everyday

"There is someone in my life...I can never let go of or leave, someone who...makes me breath"

"What about your main dream? To stand and shine on huge theatre stage? Didn't you say it meant life for you? Thought you're old and smart enough to make right priorities Zhan, time goes and it won't wait for you. Hold into chance until it's too late, I give you choice and remember...you aren't only one, actors like you are countless around and can take your place very easily"

"Who are you searching for?" Yibo shakes hearing someone's voice next to him and tries to hide his teary eyes "can i help you?"

"Yes you do" Yibo takes keys out and hands to him "please give this to Xiao Zhan and tell someone left it at the lobby"

"Sure"

"Thanks" Yibo lowers head and quickly leaves agency without looking back, what he is supposed to do now? Leaving him alone in front of the dilemma? Making decision by himself? One thing is for sure, in both case...it gonna hurt both of them

*****

"Yibo? Brother" Lily bends down at Yibo, who is lying on the bed and reads something. Getting no reply she takes attention on the book and gasps noticing water drops falling on the paper. Lily gently pats on Yibo's shoulder and later one shivers on the touch "did something bad happen? Why are you crying?"

"He liked me" Yibo sobs out loudly and buries his face into sister's neck, it's first time they hug like this after growing up and Lily knows how desperate Yibo is now "from the beginning gege liked me too"

"Yibo, what are you talking about?"

"That kiss...our first kiss was real. I just finished novel you gave me, Zhan kissed me because he was willing not for the play. it wasn't only me who fell at first sight"

"Isn't this good? Why are you crying silly boy"

"Right...I should be happy but now it hurts, now absolutely everything hurts Lily. Even the fact he loves me, it breaks my heart"

"Stop saying silly things" Lily wipes his tears away and tries to smile "we're twins and sometimes share the feelings, do you want me to cry too?"

"Gege said I'm gift sent to him but suddenly I became burden, thought I was the one helping him but no, I'm getting on his way to success. He'll never be able to push me back, maybe it's me who has to..."

"Don't do something reckless Yibo, please think more"

"Lily" Yibo puts book away and hugs the pillow, closing his eyes "I need to be alone, don't tell dad and mom about my condition ok?"

"As you wish brother" Lily pets his hair and leaves the room, taking her ringing phone out on the way

***

"May I...come in?" Zhan asks after a few minutes of silence and finally Mr Wang awakes from the shock. He let goes of the handle and nods to him, inviting in "how have you been Mr Wang? Sorry for visiting without invitation but I need to see Yibo"

"It's ok, welcome to our home Zhan"

"Thank you Mr Wang" Zhan bows to Yibo's mom who is left totally speechless by his presence "you're way more beautiful than I could imagine Ms Wang, thanks for all the delicious meal you sent to me before"

"Gosh no need to thank me dear, it was all my pleasure. And I couldn't imagine you being more handsome even without make up"

"You make me shy" Zhan smiles and places bag on the table "I bought cakes, hope you enjoy"

"Yibo is locked in his room"suddenly lily rushes out and literally drags Zhan away from there "you can talk to your future in laws later, now comfort my brother"

"This brat" they sigh and get back to their usual spots while Zhan knocks on Yibo's door, receiving no reply he silently opens it and sees Yibo curved up on the bed. Although strong build he looks like tiny, feeble baby now and Zhan resents himself for being reason of his sorrow

"I love you, you and only you" he whispers at Yibo's ear after sitting down and latter one pouts in his slumber, unable to hold himself Zhan attacks Yibo's chubby cheeks and makes them red by nonstop kisses "my only one, my little pouty baby"

"Not baby, I'm the boss" Yibo mumbles being almost breathless and finally opens his eyes, Zhan smiles widely and younger one hesitantly touches his face, still thinking it's all dream "gege...you're real"

"Real...as my love for you" he takes Yibo in tight embrace and kisses his red, swollen eyes "no one denies that you're the boss but let me take good care of you ok?"

"Why are you here? No I'm happy you came but still...what if someone follow or recognize you?"

"it's ok, i was careful and wore mask too. i couldn't go to sleep without meeting and kissing you. guess you spoiled me too much" Zhan awkwardly smiles and Yibo knows there is something more happening

"another reason?"

"I know you heard..." Zhan nervously rubs his hands and looks into Yibo's eyes "I saw you leaving agency before"

"I wasn't...willing to listen"

"mn i know, anyway It isn't big deal my Yibo, they treat everyone like this. Don't let it come closer to your heart"

"it was you receiving those harsh words, why are you comforting me gege?"

"because i know, my pain hurts you more. am i wrong?" 

"Gege" Yibo cups his face and faintly smiles "I want you to remember something, when they say you're not important, you're unworthy, you're just like others...think about me"

"Bo di"

"Remember that there is someone, you mean whole world for. Someone who takes you as the most important person of his life"

"How come you're always best at finding perfect words Yibo" Zhan taps finger on his nose and looks around, trying to find less sad topic for talking "I love your room, it literally screams youth"

"Because it's too untidy?" Yibo pouts and frowns "I lost my cool image, you should warn me beforehand"

"It's fine, I like and love absolutely everything about you" Zhan giggles and pulls Yibo closer "mix this fallen nose of yours and smile for me, won't you?"

"i'm always ready to smile for gege" Yibo plants kiss on lips and widely smiles "somehow i guess you have something to tell me no? it's about your meeting with manager?"

"actually yes, i have new project. I'll play as main lead in the new drama. My character is doctor so it gonna be easier for me, my partner is already very famous actress so..."

"She will open more ways for you"

"Right but you gonna be jea..." Zhan can't finish as door opens and Yibo's mom peeks in with excited face. He keeps staring at Zhan until Yibo exclaims

"Mom, Zhan isn't exhibit at the museum, he is as my boyfriend here so stop acting weird and don't scare him"

"Grumpy dork" she frowns at Yibo and addresses to Zhan "I cooked something delicious for you, eat with us ok?"

"Sure Ms Wang, we'll go out very soon" Zhan takes the comb and sits down behind Yibo, he gently starts combing his messy hair and meanwhile can't stop kissing and sniffing his neck "think i really got addicted to your skin, your smell, just simply of you Bo di"

"i love you gege" Yibo hugs his arms and just cuddles at him more, he knows it's necessary to talk about coming hardships and maybe separation, but they both want to hide and run away from it, as long as possible they both want to enjoy by today's happiness.

So I'm back with sad chapter 🥺 They both try to hide their pain but it's impossible because they can easily read through each-other's eyes. Hope you loved chapter dear readers🥰