A Good Addiction - Volume 1

Chapter 10 - Apart

Weizhou paced in the green room, well, more like prowled. He had been steadily declining into a fit of frustration and anger the closer time ticked to the L'Officiel event.

He was also angry with himself. He hadn't set aside the time for the self-introspection he knew he needed, but on the surface he could think of several things he's let slide personally, and shouldn't. For one, practicing for this event - he ended up working all night to make up for the lost time. Of course, Jingyu wasn't happy about that, but what could he do? He knew Jingyu wasn't pleased, yet that big fool was there at every moment he needed him. Something to drink, or eat. A massage of the shoulders. An encouraging word. Yet it all made Weizhou feel that much worse for pushing himself to a point that upset Jingyu.

And here he was, without his #1 supporter in the world, not able to be by his side.

Jingyu kept up a facade about it all, too. Only staying positive, saying he'll watch the stream, that they wouldn't be apart for too long. But Weizhou had walked in on Jingyu at one point, lying on the bed with his head in his hands and teary eyed. He'd said it was a headache, which is so like Jingyu to not worry him and protect him.

Weizhou punched the wall of the green room, startling some ancillary workers and generally causing most of the people just hanging around to decide to leave.

And he coughed, again, for the sixth or seventh time in the last thirty minutes. Goddammit! As if things weren't already bad enough, he's getting sick again.

Li Hao walked in with the dextromethorphan. Finally some relief! It wasn't good that they had started carrying the cough suppressant everywhere they went, but if Weizhou was going to sing, something had to be done.

"I'm fucking out of here as soon as possible, ok?" Weizhou exasperatedly told Li Hao.

Li Hao nodded. He knew the extent of Weizhou's burdens. "I've gone ahead and cleared the schedule for the next week. You are getting past this sickness once and for all."

Weizhou lightened up a little, and smiled. He depended on Li Hao so much, and really appreciated his friend.

Li Hao added, "We should go find our seating." Weizhou nodded and the two left the room.

\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Jingyu settled in to watch the live stream. He'd eaten what he could of the take-out that Zheng Ge brought back, which wasn't much.

"Are you going to fall back into noticeable weight loss, Jingyu?" Zheng Ge's warning was friendly, but apt.

"I hear you. But I just can't eat at this moment." Jingyu smiled at Zheng Ge, but Zheng Ge could see the pain in his eyes. He knew Jingyu wanted to spend the rest of the evening in silence, so he decided to go make it an early night. "Let me know if you need anything."

"Thank you, Zheng Ge."

Jingyu had already worked out. An especially physically demanding workout, too. He had been pacing around the suites like a tiger ready to pounce on anything, and knew he needed to channel his energy into something good. So he went to the hotel gym - which they graciously locked until he was done - and did a full workout routine, then jogged 10 miles on the treadmill, and finished with laps in the pool. As much as he had wanted to knock out the energy he had, he still found himself with that anxious feeling at the base of his stomach. Food was out of the question.

So after showering and fixing up some protein shakes to sip if and when he felt like it, he had settled in on the plush chair in the bedroom to watch the event.

Seeing Zhou come out on the red carpet, all handsome and decked out in that outfit, made Jingyu smile. The stylists he gets are really good. Jingyu could do without the crazy hair they make Weizhou have at times, but overall his kitten is very handsome.

While the rest of the event is occurring, Jingyu surfs the sites and forums and spots some photos. Ah! Zhou Zhou met Tian Ai! I wonder what they're chatting about? I'll have to ask Zhou when he gets back.

He hears the MC introduce Weizhou's segment and flips back to the stream. He's changed outfits and looks like a rocker now in the bejeweled jeans outfit. It fits him well... very well, Jingyu notices. He also notices Jingyu's eyes appear red. Oh dear...

Jingyu's listening to the song and watching every movement. What was that? Did Zhou miss a beat? He focuses in on his Zhou Zhou, but the live stream quality isn't that great.

The act finishes and seems to be met with great applause. Jingyu smiles, watching his Zhou receive the accolades. After seeing him receive the Best Newcomer award, Jingyu yawns happily, knowing he'll get to see Zhou soon.

\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Weizhou finishes changing into more comfortable clothes, and makes a dash to get out of the premises. He just wants to get to a place where it's quiet and he can reflect.

How could he miss that beat? It wasn't surprising really, he hasn't felt totally himself all day. He's tired, sick again, and generally frustrated.

When the car finally arrives back at the hotel, Weizhou hops out and dashes up to the loading elevator. He enters the suite, noticing how subdued and quiet it is. He hears some audio from the bedroom and walks in to see Jingyu in the plush chair passed out, his laptop askew and the live stream still playing. Weizhou pauses to take in the sight. Jingyu always looked so peaceful when asleep. He quietly walks over to the chair and kneels beside him. Weizhou gently takes the laptop from Jingyu's lap, which stirs Jingyu awake.

"Oh hey, babe. You're back. You looked so good tonight..." Jingyu says, pulling Weizhou in for a kiss hello.

Weizhou stops him, with a pained look on his face. "It's probably better if we skipped the kiss for now. My cough came back."

Weizhou saw Jingyu's jaw flex.

Then Jingyu pulled Weizhou in for a kiss anyway. Afterward, "We're going to see a doctor I know here tomorrow. I don't care what anyone says."

Weizhou nodded in ascent.

"So tell me about the event."

"I only thought about you the whole time, and that's all I care to say for now. We'll catch up in the morning, I'm tired." Weizhou replied.

Jingyu grunted in agreement, and stood up.

"Let's get you showered and in bed. I just want to get this day over with." Jingyu admitted.

Weizhou looked at his Whale with gentle eyes. He took the offered hand and stood up into an embrace. Jingyu leaning on Weizhou as much as Weizhou leaning on Jingyu.

"I love you."

"I love you, too."