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Wang Yibo wakes up.
The ceiling is painted white, and the room smells strange, like it has been regularly doused with disinfectants. He doesn't know how long he just stays unblinking, staring at a certain point above, but his vision eventually clears and his mind, despite being cloudy still, registers the heaviness of his limbs. It feels like he's woken from a long slumber that has left him well rested and drained at the same time. There's also an odd mix of energy within him. It's disconcerting, but he feels too boggled for complex things so he left it at that.
The sound of the door opening prompts him to shift his focus away. Nothing could have prepared him on what's to come next.
Wang Yibo feels like the air has just been stolen away from him when his gaze lands on the most beautiful human that he ever has the chance of meeting. He could write poetry to describe his beauty, but that's not his thing. Frankly, he doesn't know what his thing is, but his body itches to reach out to him. Maybe that's his thing. Wanting to hold him.
Unfortunately for him, his sharp intake of breath has been taken wrongly because the most beautiful man's eyes widen in concern, hurrying to close the distance between them. Hovering uncertainly above him.
Wang Yibo feels giddy, his lips stretching for a wide lazy smile. The man is already concerned for him. He hasn't even done anything. He's fairly certain he'll be able to get his number— or maybe something more, at the end of the day.
"You're awake." Even his voice sounds as beautiful as him. "How are you feeling?"
"Dude, you woke up an hour early!"
Wang Yibo only notices that there's other people in the room when they made themselves known by standing at the other side of the bed. Wang Yibo does not look at them, nor does he deign them a response, contented to just smile and look at the beautiful man. He could do this for hours.
Someone snorts. It sounds vaguely familiar.
"Stop looking so smitten, it's giving us hives!"
Another voice adds, "He doesn't even wanna look at us."
Wang Yibo scowls and finally gives them his attention, though just a fraction because their faces, as expected, are not that pleasant to look at. Compared to what he had just been looking at earlier, looking at them is a serious downgrade. No offense. The bar has just been set high. "Jealous that I'm hogging all the attention of this beautiful man?"
He looks back at the said man who now appears embarrassed and somewhat pleased. He's blushing, the apple of his cheeks colouring slightly. He wants to poke it, but prevents himself. Maybe it's too soon for him to do that, he doesn't even know his name yet. Later, for sure.
"Man, I didn't know you're this whipped!"
Wang Yibo ignores them, smiling once again at the man as he says, "Hey, beautiful."
A series of groans and hoots echo, presumably coming from those jealous bastards.
"Wang-laoshi ." The man says in a tone that should have been reprimanding, but the effort is lost when his blush only deepens. "We're not starting now."
Satisfied at the effect of his words, Wang Yibo continues confidently. "It's a bit unfair that you know me, but I don't know your name." He pauses to cock a brow. "Unless you don't mind me calling you beautiful? Would you like that instead?"
Someone sputters in the background. It's really hard to forget their existence when they keep on reacting to every single thing. "Are you kidding?"
"How can he...."
Wang Yibo sighs and looks at them again. To his surprise, previous mischief has been wiped off on their faces. They all stare at him, until the oldest looking one, speaks up. "Do you not really know who he is?"
"I don't know you too, so stop judging me." He answers, as politely as he could. Wang Yibo fears that the man standing beside him would bulge his eyes out. The other man with a weird looking hair is squinting his eyes at him. There's too many faces that he does not recognize. He's feeling the beginnings of a headache.
He remembers that he's asked a question, only because the man has left his finger to hover awkwardly mid air.
Wang Yibo follows where he's pointing out, and it lands perfectly on the beautiful man. Bless him. Headache? Gone. This man could save the world from paying on expensive medicines just by standing there. He's really effective for him. Wang Yibo recommended. Pass it on.
"I'm sure I'd remember someone this beautiful If I met them before. I don't forget people easily."
Someone chimes in. "You forgot who my girlfriend was when I brought her over. For the fifth time."
Flushing in embarrassment at the emphasis put on the word fifth, Wang Yibo rushes to defend himself. "I'm sure she's not as pretty as the man over here!" He chances a quick glance to the said man to assure him. "You're the prettiest, the most beautiful, don't worry. You're special for me. Good for my health too."
He returns his attention to the mediocre looking men, who had begun to openly gape now. Damn, they should stop doing that. The unattractiveness shoots up further.
"Do you know where you are?"
At the question, Wang Yibo takes the time to survey the room. It's all white, and he's fairly sure that neither his place, nor the people he knows have been this clean. Furniture is scarce too, save for a wide sofa bed located at the corner of the room, but aside than that, there's not much more.
It only means one thing.....
Wang Yibo gasps, a bit dramatic even for him but it's out before he could control it. "Am I dead already? Is this heaven?" Alarmed, he turns to look at the beautiful man, and only starts to notice his white button up. The way he seems to radiate too is suspicious, but maybe that's just his smile. But it's gone now, and he's frowning. That's not a good look on him.
"Are you actually an angel? Fairy? Wait, do fairies even exist?" The man is visibly startled at the outburst, but Wang Yibo, now filled with energy that is more wild and restless—overpowering his lassitude, rants on, uncaring of the reactions of the people in the room. "I knew it. Someone this beautiful should not freely walk on Earth. He's not a mortal. Otherwise, people would fall all over his feet, begging for his attention." He mutters to himself. And then, "Wait, you don't have a halo!" Wang Yibo exclaims. "Don't tell me you're God?"
The man is nonplussed. Wang Yibo stares at him in wonder. "God is a Chinese man."
"Yibo," The beautiful man begins, the blush back on his face. Wang Yibo, despite his mind running on a thousand and more thoughts, has taken a moment to appreciate the look. The aesthetics.
"You sound good calling my name, you should do it more often." Wang Yibo says casually. There's more sputtering, and this reminds him of another thing that doesn't make any sense. "But how come they are here too? I don't think they should be in heaven. Did you lower your standards to accommodate us all?"
"Hey!"
"You brat!"
This goes on until everyone has said their piece— a variation of indignant exclamations, which does not take too long, and then they quiet down.
Wang Yibo isn't too bothered by it, too busy in committing every feature of this beautiful man to his memory. He's got a mole under his lip and that's so attractive, definitely a plus point even though he doesn't even remember that he has an ideal type, just knows that this man fits them all— exceeded it even. The man is rendered speechless too, and Wang Yibo already misses the timbre of his voice, even if all he just did so far was to call his name. Now that's something that he's definitely bothered about.
"You know what, I don't care what you are, but since you won't even tell me your name, can I call you mine?" Wang Yibo winks by the end of his sentence, just in case his flirting has not reached properly. "God or not, I'd worship you."
The sound of someone opening their phone is loud against the silence, even more so when they start to mock whisper, "He's so high, I can't not record this!"
"Should we call the Doctor?"
"Nah, he just went here and informed us about this. Stronger effect too since he woke up earlier than intended."
A chuckle, then, "Just enjoy the show, ge."
Wang Yibo does not understand what they're talking about, nor does he care. They could gossip whatever they want. Right now, his sole focus is trained on the unraveling of the beautiful man's features, who has slowly untenses and is now, looking fully amused. That's another good look at him. Wang Yibo is considering making a mental catalogue for all the looks he'll collect today.
"You're at the hospital, Wang-laoshi ." The man answers eventually. Then adds, in a much stricter tone, "Definitely not dead."
Wang Yibo hums. So he's just born with an ethereal face. He's not God, but he's clearly his favorite. "Are you my Doctor then? Or my hot nurse? I'd be disappointed if your concern over me was purely professional."
The man laughs, and it's a very pleasant sound. Everything about this man is pleasant, he's learning very quickly. He'll have to change his agenda from just getting his number, to being this man's boyfriend.
Remembering that he's being filmed, Wang Yibo suddenly turns to the camera, looking scarily determined.
"I don't care what you're going to do with this video, but he just laughed. At me. I did that. I made him smile, numerous times under an hour. It's a huge feat. I think he's into me, and I'm giving you the permission to document this wonderful moment." Nodding to himself and ignoring the slack-jawed men, Wang Yibo turns to look at his future boyfriend. His neck is starting to hurt from all the back and forth, so he hopes that his audience could get the hint and would resist interrupting from now on.
"So, do you like motorcycles? I'm very good at them." Wang Yibo does not brag. He only speaks the truth. "I could drive us around. I have a lot of helmets and jackets too, so you just need to come." He pauses, before continuing, "If it's too dangerous, we could sit that one out. I play skateboard too, you should definitely come with me to the park sometime. I can dance too. I can dance for you. Want a sexy dance?"
The man doesn't answer. Wang Yibo succumbs to the temptation of touching those cheeks—oh, his arm has a tube connected to it— feeling the warmth under the pads of his fingers. The man shakes out from his reverie and shoots him a look as he grabs on his hand, mindful of the tube, before tucking it gently by his side.
And because Wang Yibo's mouth feels much looser, he says, "You could just say that you wanted to hold my hand, you know? I wouldn't mind."
The man glares at him, though it lacks the intensity. He flicks his eyes to where his friends are standing, before he leans in a bit as he quietly says, "Of course, I want to hold Wang-laoshi's hand. I'd be honored."
Affection bubbles inside Wang Yibo, and when he opens his mouth, he erupts in gleeful laughs. Today is his best day, it seems. Nevermind the fact that he doesn't know what he's doing in this place, only that this beautiful man is here with him too.
That's more than enough.
"Everyone gave me shit whenever I say I believe in love at first sight, but it's definitely happening now." Wang Yibo says to no one, once his laughter dies down. Then he directs his next words to the man who has now been upgraded as his fiancé, without the engagement ring. He'll get to it later. "We should definitely date after this. I'll buy you a ring. Diamonds. Gold. 24k. You like that? I could feel that we're meant to be."
"I'm leaving." Somebody announces. It's not the answer he's expecting but whatever, he's not going to put his neck through the efforts of looking at anyone who isn't this gorgeous man. "I feel like I'm intruding and I have better things to do rather than watch Yibo..." The voice trails off, and then it picks up again. "Zhan-ge, we'll come back tomorrow, possibly when he's sober."
And just like that, the moment is lost. He stands by his words earlier, they should not be allowed in heaven for ruining this moment.
"What do you mean by 'we'? I'm staying!" His appointed cameraman rounds up his bed and sticks to Zhan-ge's side. They don't look good together, he thinks bitterly. "Yibo, you said I can film you! Stop them! I'm documenting your love story!"
"He's high." A kind looking man follows him but only to tug him away and towards the door, followed by the rest of the guys. "He won't want that once he wakes up again."
His cameraman is noisy. The guy with a weird hair has a funny look on his face and the kind one is trying to look stern— and failing miserably, as he ushers them both outside after nodding to Zhan-ge . The most mature looking out of the bunch lingers by the door, but Wang Yibo zones out of their conversation right after he had addressed Zhan-ge as Xiao Zhan.
What a pretty name. He's incredibly biased, but, whatever. Still a pretty name.
Wang Yibo is in the middle of planning their future dates when he feels a gentle pat on his shoulder. Xiao Zhan has been touching him a lot. He's definitely into him.
"You should rest now." They're all alone now, which explains..... something. Something has definitely changed but he can't tell what it is. Nevermind. He'll figure it out later.
Just then, a finger smoothens his furrowed brows. Wang Yibo relaxes immediately. Even his touch has magic. Is Xiao Zhan sure that he's not God?
"Gǒu zǎizǎi, stop thinking too much. Try to sleep, hm?"
Wang Yibo does not melt at the nickname. He even has a nickname for him. He's really perfect.
Like what he's been doing a lot today, he ignores what he wants to ignore, and focuses on the important part. Since Xiao Zhan has taken the initiative to give him a nickname, he'll return the favor to him.
"Bǎobèi ." Wang Yibo tries. He likes the sound of it, and the way it rolls on his tongue is familiar. So he repeats it, much firmer this time. "Bǎobèi , you did not answer my question. We should date. We're a match. We'll be perfect together. Do you prefer motorcycles or skateboards? I have a lot of legos too, maybe we can build one together. I can already imagine how it'll go. It'll be cute. You're already cute, but together we'll be cuter. All hunched on the coffee table, trying to analyze where a piece should go. I said coffee table because that's where I usually work. Unless you want me to come over your place? I won't mind that too."
Wang Yibo should be offended that Xiao Zhan's only response is, "You're so high." But he says that with a chuckle, so he's forgiven.
Xiao Zhan only looks amused. Wang Yibo already missed his blushing face. Xiao Zhan settles to sit on a chair beside his bed, and then a book materializes in his hand. He probably got that somewhere, but he's distracted now that Xiao Zhan's at his level, and much nearer than earlier.
He has a lot of moles. Wang Yibo loves moles. So he tells him.
"I love moles." He tries to lift his hand again to poke on the constellation on Xiao Zhan's right ear, but Xiao Zhan only taps his hand down. "I have a lot of moles too." He adds, not attempting to show where his own set of moles are, though he's dying to. See, this is what he meant when he says that they're perfect for each other. Match made in heaven.
Xiao Zhan hums. He shakes his head at him, smiling sweetly before he opens his book.
He gives him a generous three-second window to put his book away. He extends it to five seconds because he's trying to show that he's understanding like that, but when the time passes and Xiao Zhan seems content to just flip through his boring book, Wang Yibo opens his mouth again.
He absolutely does not whine.
"Is your book more important than your future husband?" Xiao Zhan's status keeps on updating. It's what he deserves. "And why do you all keep on saying I'm high? Of course I am, the last time I checked, I grew taller. I'm now 181.3 cm."
"That's not—" Xiao Zhan sighs. He still does not lower his book down. "I'm 183 cm. So, taller."
"You don't count, because you're perfect."
Another sigh. Despite it, Wang Yibo spies him lifting a corner of his lips. Playing hard to get now, huh. He likes it.
"You should definitely sleep. Believe me, you need it."
"I'm not tired." He reasons. It's, of course, a transparent lie. Talking in paragraphs, he finds out, is equal to a full set of exercise. It's a lot of work, but he has a lot to say. "I want to plan our future together. You and me. Together. A perfect pair. People would be jealous of us. We'll be the best couple in town. We could win awards for it."
Xiao Zhan does not blush again. No matter what he blabbers about, he only hums, interested but choosing to appear otherwise, eyes perpetually fixed on his book. Wang Yibo hates to admit that he wants his audience back in the room. Xiao Zhan is too comfortable with just the two of them alone, too desensitized with his attempts at flirting. He's pulling all the big guns and big words. He wants Xiao Zhan to hover over him again.
Out of the corner of his eyes, he notices him move. His finger has been doing that thing that looks like he's fiddling on something. Probably out of habit. He has 20/20 vision, so he immediately sees it.
Xiao Zhan eventually puts his book down. Finally. He already forgives him for choosing the book over him earlier. We all make mistakes, anyway.
Wang Yibo turns his attention on him, immediately drawn to that gorgeous face. He'll never tire out of this— with just looking. Xiao Zhan is like the sun, and he's the sunflower. That's the closest thing he could do in attempting poetry. He'll never try again.
"What did you see?"
"Your beauty." Wang Yibo says without missing a beat. He does not understand what he's asking, but he's certain that he gave the right answer. "Wanna bet how long I can go without blinking? I feel like I'll miss an important moment if I close my eyes, so I'm trying hard not to."
And then, Wang Yibo blinks. Xiao Zhan bit his lower lip in an effort to keep himself from smiling. He blinks again, involuntarily— he swears he's not doing this on purpose, and when he opens his eyes, Xiao Zhan has a full smile on his face. Wang Yibo purses his lips in a definitely not-a-pout. "See, this is what I'm saying! I missed the moment when you smiled!"
"You can't not blink, sweetheart ." Oh, another nickname. He's instantly mollified. Xiao Zhan thinks he's sweet. "Rest, please. You're being very cute right now, but you need to rest."
"No, place your bet first." Wang Yibo blinks again, realizing that he's been doing it more since he's feeling drowsy. Tired. He'll take that offer for rest later, after he executes his master plan. "If you guess it right, you can plan our first date. But if you don't, you'll have to marry me."
Wang Yibo smirks. There's no way Xiao Zhan could guess the exact number. He will make sure that even though he woke up single, he'll go to sleep with the assurance that he's going to marry the love of his life.
"That doesn't sound fair, Wang- laoshi ."
Wang Yibo smiles his winsome smile. "The world is hardly fair, bǎobèi."
To his utter delight, and confusion, this made Xiao Zhan laugh. Two laughs within the hour? He's really killing it.
"You're incorrigible." Xiao Zhan says, but he's still smiling. Wang Yibo takes it as a compliment, so he just flutters his eyes invitingly at him. Except he doesn't know how to do that, so he hopes blinking in succession will have to suffice.
"You like me."
Xiao Zhan hums again, and Wang Yibo preens under the fond stare. He's so so into him. Wang Yibo wants to kiss him. Preferably at the altar too, if he'll allow it.
A moment of comfortable silence, for once, Wang Yibo doesn't feel like running his mouth dry, and then, Xiao Zhan says, "I'm already married, though."
The words don't register to him immediately. Not until Xiao Zhan pulls a necklace from under his shirt. With a ring pendant. That doesn't mean anything. That should not mean anything. "What are you going to do about it?"
"Nice accessory."
Xiao Zhan looks down on the ring, and smiles. "Yes, it's my wedding ring."
"No, you have to wear it on your ring finger, not as a pendant!" Wang Yibo argues. Xiao Zhan can't be married. There's no reason he should be!
But Xiao Zhan wordlessly lifts his hand, and points to the spot that he had just seen earlier. The sign of a ring. The phantom band on his ring finger. No, no, no.
Wang Yibo realizes with a dawning horror that Xiao Zhan isn't lying.
"You can't be married! Or if you really are, you should file for divorce!"
"If you don't sleep, maybe I will."
"Then I won't sleep!" Wang Yibo feels really really sleepy, like his energy has been steadily drained from him. He'll fight against it, though, in the name of love. "I'll stay awake for as long as you like and then you can file a divorce and marry me instead!"
"It's—no, sweetheart, forget what I just said. You should definitely sleep."
Wang Yibo shakes his head. "No. Listen to me. We're perfect. There's a connection between us. It's electrifying. Whatever you have with your wife—"
"My husband," Xiao Zhan corrects.
"With your husband," He repeats, "It's not real. This?" He lifts his hand to gesture between them. He's met with a disapproving stare so he puts his hand down quickly, chastised. "This is the real deal. You can't lie to me, I know you like me too. I don't want to go to sleep. You'll be back to your dumb husband and I'll wake up regretting ever letting the love of my life slip like that, without putting up a fight. I will fight for us, I'll help you escape from that loveless marriage!"
Xiao Zhan pats his head in a placating matter. That's not what he wants. He suddenly feels like crying. He's got good plans already for the both of them, and then they're gone.
"I will cry." Wang Yibo announces, and the hand on his hair stills. "I will really cry. I'm experiencing a major heartbreak, and you're still so sweet, combing my hair like that." He looks up so he could stare at him in the eyes, momentarily distracted by how pretty they are.
"I will take care of you. I'll plan the best dates for us. I'll buy you the best ring. I'll even give you my most prized lego set as a gift. I'm a catch and we match. You're falling for me. I could tell. Anyone could tell. You're supposed to marry me."
When his voice embarrassingly cracks at the end of his heartfelt well thought out speech, Xiao Zhan is already at his feet, looking so guilty it honestly makes him feel worse than the heartbreak. He should not be allowed to frown, ever again.
"Oh, no. Sweetheart, no. I'm only kidding. Don't cry. I'm sorry." His warm hand cups the side of his face, his touch almost reverent. Wang Yibo nuzzles on it without thinking, already feeling less distressed than what he had felt earlier after a couple of gentle strokes on his jaw. See when he said Xiao Zhan's touch is magic? It's so relaxing.
Xiao Zhan seems aware of his powers, because he doesn't stop his ministrations, even when Wang Yibo begins to talk again, his words slurring a bit.
"If you're so sorry, divorce him. He's so dumb for leaving you alone with me. I'm a threat to mankind. I'm a charmer and it works for you."
Xiao Zhan sighs in that long suffering way of his. He removes his hand from his face, and before Wang Yibo starts to panic, he feels it settle on top of his hand.
Okay, that'll make do.
"Sleep, love. I'll still be here once you wake up." Xiao Zhan says sweetly, as he smiles down on him.
"Promise?"
"Yes. Promise."
Who is Wang Yibo to question that? Especially when Xiao Zhan looks like that ? Like he will marry him. Like he also loves him. That look— that's certainly the best addition to his mental catalogue.
Yeah, he can do that for him. He can sleep.
Wang Yibo feels a ghost of a kiss on his forehead and a finger toying on the band on his ring finger, and then he lets himself fall to the throes of sleep.
Wang Yibo will burn Seungyoun's phone. And every device that has a copy of that goddamn video. He'll make sure of it. He'll leave none after he's done. The only thing that's stopping him from exactly doing that is the drip still attached on his arm.
His plotting of a comprehensive revenge against his awful friends is cut short when Xiao Zhan enters the room.
"Hey, beautiful."
Xiao Zhan pauses, and then he grins, his eyes twinkling, teasing. "Still 181.3 cm high?"
Wang Yibo responds with a smile of his own, previous animosity vanishing instantly into thin air. "No, just in love with you."
Xiao Zhan's embarrassed laughter easily blocks his friends' annoying screeches. They'll always be the background noise, the unnoticeable presence, the audience, against Xiao Zhan's everything . Wang Yibo will never want to look away from him.
Xiao Zhan. His sun. His husband.
Wang Yibo will try to learn poetry, just so he could describe how much he feels for him.