Rue

"Gege!" Xiao Zhan sat up straight, his breathing hitched and he felt his heart racing. He is also gripping on the fabric on his bed when he wakes up.. He was in the middle of a slumber when a loud voice entered his ears. The voice came from his room's open window, indicating that the person who just shouted is from the outside. It then hits him when the voice rang again inside his head, it's Wang Yibo who's bothering his beauty sleep. He looked at the clock, hanging on the wall. It's 8:00 in the morning. He sighed and caressed his chest, how cruel of Wang Yibo to start his day shouting nonstop in front of Xiao Zhan's apartment. He stood up to open his apartment's main door for Wang Yibo. "What do you want with me this early?" Xiao Zhan groaned as he scratched the back of his head. "Did you forget? We're going to Aunt Xiao you say! Oh, I miss her homemade dishes. I haven't eaten anything either." Wang Yibo exclaimed, "I also called her earlier. She's already expecting us to be there around 10 later." Xiao Zhan yawned before proceeding to ignore Wang Yibo's enthusiastic aura. He walked towards the kitchen and poured himself a glass of water before sitting on the sofa and closed his eyes, "You could've just called him or something. I almost had a heart attack earlier. I thought there was an emergency." "This is an emergency. Don't you miss your own mother? She's been chatting with me these days, she keeps on telling me to take care of you. Of course, I said yes." Wang Yibo replied. They have been friends for almost six years. They met during Xiao Zhan's third year and Wang Yibo as a freshman in high school when Xiao Zhan ran as Vice President of their school's Student Council while Wang Yibo ran as a representative. Although they were from different batches, it really never affected their friendship. In Wang Yibo's perspective, it actually benefited both of them. At least, Xiao Zhan can help Wang Yibo with academic related stuff while Wang Yibo can teach him the humor of young people like him which Xiao Zhan found ridiculous since they're only four years apart in age. Although they have met late, Mrs. Xiao still knows about Wang Yibo and has met each other countless times. In Xiao Zhan's opinion, his mother seems to like Wang Yibo more than him. It's not that he's complaining, at least, his mother approves of their relationship. In his father's eyes though, he seems to not like Wang Yibo's bright image. He said he is 'too noisy' when talking to Xiao Zhan and also "clingy" but he never minded since Wang Yibo really is clingy and noisy. "Seems you have already replaced my position as her child. Why don't you just go on your own and be the child she has been wanting." Xiao Zhan pouted and stomped his feet, before he could even let out a chuckle, a hand touched his and took the glass away from his grip. "Of course not. I may be handsome but not as handsome as you. I may be smart but not as smart as you. I may be good at something but you're obviously better. That's why I keep lingering on your side. You can't get away from me you smartass." Wang Yibo replied and chugged the water on his hands in one go. "Stop flattering me, Wang Yibo." "I am and not at the same time. It's too obvious, you've been excelling not just academically but also socially and stuff. Aiyo, I'm so jealous. Why can't I be like Gege?!" Wang Yibo whined but smiled and winked after. Xiao Zhan rolled his eyes. "Whatever you say. I'll just go and prepare. Just wait for me." "Mn. I will." It took them an hour to arrive at their destination. Wang Yibo unmounted the car happily and started walking with his bag, forgetting instantly about Xiao Zhan. The place is not big but not small either. A small garden with colorful flowers owned by Mrs. Xiao welcomed Xiao Zhan and Wang Yibo's eyes. An air gracefully welcomed them, making their brownish hair sway alongside it, some strings of their hair slapping their faces. Xiao Zhan inhaled, I'm home. He looked at the younger who's jogging towards the entrance of their home with his calm eyes. He couldn't blame Wang Yibo for being obsessed with this place and also his mother's dishes, if he were to decide, he would also stay right here and never leave. He didn't jog but he did widen his steps to catch up with Wang Yibo, "Slow down. You don't want to trip on Mama's plants, do you?" He didn't receive a response. After successfully crossing the garden without any of them tripping, Wang Yibo happily hopped inside the balcony and knocked thrice, "Mama, we're here!" Wang Yibo sways his body while waiting for an answer from the other side of the door and also for it to open while Xiao Zhan stays still. Wang Yibo looked at the garden they just passed by and smiled, "Mama never changes, she still loves babying her plants. I'd start to assume those are actually her children, not you." Xiao Zhan rolled his eyes but looked at the garden as well. He is not good at naming flowers and plants but he does appreciate their vibrant colors. The pink and violet flowers and also green leaves are swaying together with the wind, as if they're waving at them, welcoming their arrival. He's busy staring at the flowers when he heard a familiar voice. "What took you so long?" He looked back at the door and saw his father with his hands on the doorknob. He looked at Wang Yibo who suddenly became silent, his head lowering, avoiding to meet Mr. Xiao's gaze. Xiao Zhan bowed, "Ba." "Come in. Your Mama is still cooking lunch. It's been a while since I've helped her. You can sit there and wait for us to finish." Wang Yibo bowed, "Thank you, Sir." Mr. Xiao exhaled, "What's with the formality? Come in, you two." Mr. Xiao made a way for both of them to enter the door. The newly arrived men took their shoes off and put them just beside the door and went in. Wang Yibo took his bag off of his shoulder and sat on the sofa in the living room. Xiao Zhan lends his hands to Wang Yibo, "Give me your bag. I'll put it inside my room." Wang Yibo didn't respond but did gave Xiao Zhan his bag. "How long will you two stay here?" "Two days, Uncle." Wang Yibo almost stammered. "Mn." Xiao Zhan agreed, "College has been tough these days. Fortunately, they gave us a two day break." "Okay. I'll inform your mother you're already here." Wang Yibo stayed silent as both him and Xiao Zhan followed Mr. Xiao with their eyes. Only did Wang Yibo say something after they lose sight of Mr. Xiao, "My back hurts." "Do you want me to massage you? I also have some pain patches in here. Wait." Xiao Zhan puts his bag off and starts rummaging its insides. "No. No need, it'll go away anyway. No need for patches and massage. I can still deal with it. I just need some rest. After all, sitting for hours does have consequences." Wang Yibo replied. Xiao Zhan paused, his hands still inside the bag, "Are you sure?" Wang Yibo nodded and smiled, "Yeah, no need to worry." Xiao Zhan nodded and zipped the bag back, "Okay then. I'll go now, just wait for me there.. or do you want to go with me and change?" "I'm fine. I just need rest for the meantime." "Okay." Xiao Zhan left. Wang Yibo then had the time to examine the house. The inside hasn't changed. Xiao family pictures are either still hanging on the walls or on the table. There are also some fake plants displayed on every corner of the room. It's clean, Mr. and Mrs. Xiao never fails to get impressed. He can't even sweep properly. It's not surprising either, Xiao Zhan is good at everything, including cleaning his apartment. Wang Yibo smiled at the thought. His eyes then caught something, a picture, in a frame, with a man and a woman in it. Isn't this Xiao Zhan and his ex? Why is it still displayed here? Was Aunt not aware? Impossible. He's about to approach the frame when he hears a woman's voice, "You two are finally here. It's been a while." Wang Yibo looked at the woman, smiled and stood up. He bowed, "Ma! I've missed you so much! Gege is doing good with his school. Of course, me too. Ah, are you already done with cooking? If not, I think I can lend you a hand." "No need. I've finished. Of course, with a little help from the husband." Mrs. Xiao chuckled, "Oh, why don't we go to the kitchen and have lunch? Where is A-Zhan?" Wang Yibo was about to reply when they heard footsteps coming down from the stairs, "Here." The two looked at where the voice came from. Mrs. Xiao smiled, "How's my child?" "I thought he's your child?" Xiao Zhan pouted but flashed them a smile after, "I'm doing fine, a little bit stressed but still kicking." Wang Yibo, "What do you expect, Mama? He's a smart one. I wouldn't be able to enter college if he didn't help me." Mrs. Xiao slapped Wang Yibo's shoulder lightly, "Stop with that. You're smart as well, just a little lazy." "Yeah, just remove the little part." Xiao Zhan laughed. "Stop bullying Yibo, Zhan. Well, you're here now, might as well eat now, hm?" Wang Yibo and Xiao Zhan nodded. The kitchen is small but cozy. You can clearly see how happy and calm the family who owns the kitchen is. There are also tons of small picture frames hanging on the walls showing how the family grew into the recent. Wang Yibo and Xiao Zhan sat beside each other while across them are Mrs. and Mr. Xiao. "Ma, what did you cook for us?" Xiao Zhan asked while stirring himself on his seat, trying to find a comfortable spot. "You can figure it out yourself." Mrs. Xiao smiled and opened the lid of the dishes one by one. A hot but delicious steam met their nostrils. Wang Yibo inhaled and nodded, "Ma is so good at cooking. I want to live here. Gege, just go and buy a ticket for one tomorrow, I'll stay here." "Shut. You still have tons of school stuff to comply with. Seungyoun told me." Xiao Zhan responded while getting his chopsticks ready. "That i***t never shut his mouth." Wang Yibo pouted but shrugged it off and picked up his chopsticks as well. Lunch passed by, the two visitors were full and thought a fine walk would be great. Now, they ended up out of the woods nearby, Xiao Zhan sitting on a low branch of tree while Wang Yibo simply under the tree, slumping his butt onto the ground with a cold water bottle he brought on his hands. It's past one and the sun is thriving but due to countless trees, they have never felt any too much heat on their skins. The way they simply look at the swaying branches and leaves of the trees, and birds passing by chirping as if they're welcoming their arrival give them an easiness and assurance that this is indeed home. Xiao Zhan rested his head and back on the trunk and looked down at where the younger is sipping on his water, "I'm feeling tired." He saw Wang Yibo's head nod. Then, he looked up at him and the two met each other's eyes, "Me too. Should we head back now?" Xiao Zhan could see how tired Wang Yibo was, but he shook his head, "I want to stay for a while. You?" Wang Yibo broke the stare and looked at the field just right in front of them where Xiao Zhan's house can be seen across it. Xiao Zhan heard Wang Yibo sigh and mutter, "I'll accompany you then." Xiao Zhan, "You haven't changed your clothes." Wang Yibo, "I'll take a shower later. It's not that hot. I didn't get sweaty during the ride. I'm fine." "Okay." Xiao Zhan nodded. Aside from the wind whistling and birds tweeting, there is nothing else that could be heard as of the moment. Xiao Zhan continued to look at the young man just under the tree. He has mixed feelings for that man. He's annoyed, overwhelmed but also delighted; annoyed due to its stubborn behavior, overwhelmed due to its weird actions, delighted as he never had a confidant like him even before as a child. He may be years older than the man he's currently looking at but he is definitely assured that this man will never be tired of him. That's the connection he can feel with this person to the point he could only wish to meet a woman exactly like Wang Yibo or just hope to wake up and find out that Wang Yibo is a woman, that he's just living in a perfect and beautiful dream. Around 15 minutes passed by, Wang Yibo jumped out from his sitting position, turned to Xiao Zhan and smiled, "I forgot, I still have some things to discuss with Aunt and Mr. Xiao." "About what?" Xiao Zhan was about to get down when Wang Yibo stopped him, "Nothing serious. Just stay there. This is a private matter. Just stay. I'll never forgive you if you don't!" Xiao Zhan was confused. What kind of discussion are they going to talk about? Is Wang Yibo really going to ask my parents to be his parents as well?! What about Wang Yibo's parents?! "I see you're overthinking again. I'm not going to murder you and your parents or hold you three hostages. I'm just really worried about this stuff and I think an advice or two from your parents could help?" Wang Yibo showed him a sincere smile, "I'll get back to you later here. I promise." Before Xiao Zhan could even think of a response, Wang Yibo already turned his back away from him.