Zhan slowly opened his eyes, blinking away the remnants of sleep as the warm, golden light of dawn streaming through the window danced across his face. The soft rays illuminated the gentle contours of his cheeks, nose, and lips, casting a serene glow on his peaceful expression. As he gradually came to, he stretched, feeling the gentle ache of a restful night’s sleep in his muscles. His limbs unfolded from their cozy tangle, and he arched his back, giving a good yawn to signal the start of his day. But, as he tried to sit up, he realized he was being held in a gentle but firm embrace, as if someone had wrapped themselves around him like a warm blanket.
Confused and disoriented, Zhan looked up to see who was holding him, his eyes scanning the unfamiliar contours of the face above him. And then, it clicked – it was Yibo, his expression serene and peaceful, like a tranquil lake on a windless day. Zhan’s mind raced, wondering when Yibo had entered his room, slipped into bed beside him, and snuggled up so close. He tried to recall the previous night’s events, but his memories were hazy, shrouded in a misty veil of sleep and forgetfulness. Had Yibo come in during the night, seeking comfort and companionship? The questions swirled in Zhan’s head like a gentle whirlpool.
As Zhan shifted slightly, trying to free himself from Yibo’s embrace, Yibo’s eyes fluttered open, like the gentle unfurling of a flower petal. Their gazes met, and for a moment, they just stared at each other, the air thick with a sense of connection and understanding. Zhan felt like he was drowning in the depths of Yibo’s eyes, like a sailor lost at sea, yet simultaneously, he felt a sense of safety and belonging. It was as if time had stood still, leaving only the two of them, suspended in this moment of quiet intimacy.
And then, in a movement that caught Zhan off guard, Yibo leaned forward, his face inches from Zhan’s, and gently pressed his lips to Zhan’s forehead. The touch sent shivers down Zhan’s spine, like the soft caress of a feather or the gentle lapping of waves on a summer shore. “Good morning, Zhan Ge,” Yibo whispered, his warm breath dancing across Zhan’s skin, leaving a trail of goosebumps in its wake. The gentle kiss and Yibo’s affectionate term of endearment left Zhan feeling cherished and loved, like a precious treasure cradled in the palm of Yibo’s hand.
In this cozy morning moment, time seemed to stand still, and all that mattered was the warmth and connection between them. The world outside receded, leaving only the soft rise and fall of their chests, the gentle hum of the air conditioner, and the sweet, golden light of dawn. It was a moment of perfect tranquility, a sense of being exactly where one was meant to be – in the arms of someone who cared, surrounded by the soft whisper of love and affection.
But then, like a sudden splash of icy water on a sweltering summer day, reality hit Zhan with a jolt, and he felt a deep sense of discomfort wash over him. This wasn’t right; he shouldn’t be feeling this way towards a taken man. Yibo, with his charming smile and gentle touch, had always unknowingly stirred something within Zhan, like a masterful conductor coaxing a beautiful melody from a symphony orchestra. But now, the feeling was different. It was no longer just a passing flutter, a fleeting moment of attraction; it was a deep, aching sense of longing that seemed to reverberate through every cell of his body. And yet, Yibo was already spoken for, committed to someone else, while Zhan’s heart beat solely for him, like a solitary drumbeat in the darkness.
Zhan knew he had to say something, to make it clear that this couldn’t continue. He wanted to tell Yibo to stop the gentle touches, the affectionate terms, and the soft kisses, because if his girlfriend found out, she might get angry – and rightfully so. The thought of being the cause of a rift between Yibo and his girlfriend filled Zhan with a mix of guilt, shame, and heartache, like a toxic brew that threatened to consume him whole. But as he looked into Yibo’s eyes, he saw a fondness there, a warmth that made his heart skip a beat, like a masterfully crafted timepiece suddenly springing to life. Zhan’s words caught in his throat, unable to escape, as he was trapped in the depths of Yibo’s gaze, like a small boat adrift in a stormy sea.
Instead, Zhan did the only thing he could – he got up, trying to put some distance between them, like a wild animal trying to escape a predator’s snare. Yibo, sensing the sudden change in atmosphere, released his hold on Zhan and looked at him with a confused expression, like a child who had been unexpectedly scolded for a minor transgression. His eyes searched Zhan’s face, trying to understand what had gone wrong, but Zhan avoided his gaze, unable to meet his eyes, like a coward fleeing from a battle. Yibo’s lips pursed, a small furrow forming between his brows, as he tried to shake off the odd feeling of rejection that had settled over him, like a light drizzle on a spring morning.
