Rekindle (16/20)
- SIXTEEN -
While waiting for their luggage, Yixing opens his phone and turns the WiFi on and immediately dozens of messages from people back in Korea pop-up on LINE. He received a message from his parents and from the boys who are currently at the ball. Yifan does the same and since he and Yixing are both subscribed to the same groups he received a ton of messages as well which he ignored in favor of leaning toward Yixing to see the photos and messages through the younger’s phone; Yixing doesn’t seem to mind as he replies to a few of the messages. With Yixing’s insistence, they eventually take a photo together and post it up on the group chat as well.
“Arrived Changsha already! You guys seem to be having fun :) Kinda makes me regret not going :(” He posted the message with the photo and almost immediately the boys replied to them.
Chanyeol: At least you’re aware where the real fun happens!
Taehyun: Why am I in this group chat?
Jinwoo: Yixing! Yifan! I hope you had a safe flight! You guys should rest up!
Seungyoon: You guys will have your piece of fun in Changsha ;)
Seungyoon: Taehyun? Where are you?
Jinwoo: Oh right! We haven’t seen you in like an hour. Where did you go with Mino?
Kyungsoo: You guys look tired :( I hope the flight wasn’t tiring! Have a good rest!
Jongin: Hyungs! Have fun in Changsha! Bring something for me!
Sehun: Oh my god! Taehyun and Mino are missing? Together?
Jongdae: Don’t pretend like you and Zitao aren’t either! We haven’t seen you since you said “We’ll just get some drinks”
Jongdae: And Yifan hyung, you’re supposed to smile for the camera!
Jongdae: Looking good Yixing hyung!
Jongdae: BUT not as good as Junmyeon!
Zitao: Oh my god!
Sehun: Oh god stahp
Bobby: Uhhh Jongdae hyung? Not here?
Junmyeon: Although I do appreciate that Jongdae, maybe you should only say that at the right place at the right time. Yifan and Yixing, I hope you guys enjoy your time in Changsha. I’ll take care of the boys while you guys are out. I’ll make sure they behave properly.
Sehun: BUT MOOOOOOMMMMM!
Junmyeon: Sehun, stop.
Sehun: K
Seunghoon: Looking good, you guys. (thumbs up) I think I saw Mino & Taehyun leave a while ago. Don’t know to where though.
Mino: (posts photo)
Mino: At a rap battle right now! Taehyun is killing it!!!!!!!
Junmyeon: WHAT?! YOU TWO GET YOUR ASSES BACK HERE RIGHT NOW!
Mino: BUT MOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMM!
Zitao: That looks fun!
Junmyeon: Zitao!
Zitao: Just voicing my opinions
*Mino left this group chat*
*Taehyun left this group chat*
Junmyeon: Oh no they didn’t
Yixing: Calm down, Junmyeon. Let them have fun. I know Taehyun, he won’t do anything stupid and in my opinion he needs that for himself. We’ll be leaving the airport in a while. Will chat with you guys tomorrow. Have fun! J
Baekhyun: It seems no one has said anything about this but I’ll say it anyway because I’m sure everyone will agree anyway. You guys look so good together! ;) Rest up and we’ll catch up tomorrow. You have fun together! ;)
Yixing really wanted to give Baekhyun an earful but he spots his uncle waiting for them with one of his younger cousins. They immediately envelope Yixing in a hug because it’s been quite long time since they last saw him. He introduced Yifan to them who gave a bow of greeting to both. They load their baggage and speed off as fast as they can since it’s already late.
The youngest Zhang wasn’t expecting his grandparents to still be awake considering it’s already way past midnight. His grandparents instantly encage him in a bone-crushing hug once he steps in to the porch. Yifan unconsciously smiles at the sight and Yixing has to call him three times to get his attention again. He was introduced to the elderly couple who thanked him for accompanying Yixing on the trip. They were immediately ushered to their room which was prepared by Yixing’s grandmother earlier. The bed was king size and could easily fit both boys but Yixing offered to take the extra bed which could be rolled out beneath the bed.
“Xing, don’t be silly. This is your house. If anything I should be the one sleeping there if you’re uncomfortable with sharing a bed.”
“No, that’s not it. I was thinking maybe you’d mind. You know, I move a lot when I’m asleep.”
“I already know that but the bed is huge. If you want I can just take the extra bed.”
“No, no. I-it’s okay.”
They end up sleeping on the same bed and as if Yifan has the plague, Yixing situated himself as far as he can from his best friend. Yifan doesn’t mind and he doesn’t want to make Yixing feel uncomfortable either by forcing him to move closer. Probably because of the long day they’ve had, they knock out cold just seconds after lying down.
~*~
They wake up with Yifan still in the same position as when he slept and Yixing sprawled unceremoniously over his side of the bed. Fortunately, it is a huge bed.
Grandma Zhang woke them up close to noon with the promise of nothing but delicious food; food that Yixing misses although his mom cooks them Chinese cuisine for dinner. In his defense, his mother doesn’t always cook Hunan food since she lived half of her life in Beijing.
They decided to stay in for the day to get a good rest and to let Yixing catch up with his grandparents. Yixing played the piano for them when lunch was over which made his grandfather extremely happy. Yifan even showed them a video he took of Yixing playing during the spring concert. After spending the afternoon inside, they decided to take a walk around the neighborhood to get some fresh air.
They reached a playground where kids are running around and getting all the play they can get while the sun is still shining.
“So this is where little Yixing played when he was little.” Yifan looked at the playground and imagining his seven year-old best friend hanging in one of the monkey bars afraid to move forward.
“Oh wait, he’s still little.” Yixing pouted at him for his teasing and he couldn’t resist resting his arm over his best friend’s shoulder which shocked the younger but he immediately recovered.
“Let’s get some of that street food you’re boasting about.” Yifan steers him out of the neighborhood playground and into the streets to have something in his belly.
By the end of the day, Yifan has eaten more stinky tofu in his life than he has ever wanted to because of Yixing’s persistence.
They hear a knock on the door while they’re preparing for bed. It was Yixing’s grandmother.
“Hey grandma, why aren’t you sleeping yet?” Yixing opens the door wide as an invitation for her to come in but she stayed outside without even passing the threshold. Yifan walks to Yixing’s side and smiles at the old lady who replied with the same gummy smile.
“Here, you’ve been telling me that you want to see the Ferris Wheel.” Yixing’s grandmother hands him two tickets to the Changsha Ferris Wheel which Yixing’s been wanting to ride but he never got to since it opened after they moved to Korea. When his grandmother heard that he was planning to come for a vacation, she immediately asked one of Yixing’s uncles to buy them a ticket ahead of time because the Ferris Wheel always has a long cue.
Yixing couldn’t contain his happiness as it’s radiating from his broad smile. He hugged his grandmother like there’s no tomorrow. Although he can afford to buy it himself, the thought that she still remembered what Yixing wanted to do and what made him happy made him want to tear up.
“You should come with us.” He pulls away and with big eyes pleads for his grandmother to come with them.
“Oh son, we’re too old for that already. Just enjoy it for us.”
“But it would be more fun to have you and grandpa with us.” Yixing’s grandmother pats his cheeks and just smiles at him before turning around to go to their room and get some sleep herself.
Yifan pats Yixing on the shoulder and tells him that they can try convincing the old couple again tomorrow but for now, they need some rest.
~*~
“Grandpa, come with us to the park and ride the ferris wheel with us. Please!” Yixing doesn’t even greet them good morning and just straight away asks for them to come.
“We can’t ride that thing anymore, we’re too old.”
“Nobody’s too old to have fun.” Yifan backs Yixing up and he smiles at himself when he earns a thumbs up and a dimpled smile from his best friend.
“Thank you Yifan but I think it’s better for us to stay at home.” Yixing knew that there was no way his grandparents will say yes especially with his grandfather’s health not being at its best.
“I came here because I wanted to spend time with you two but you don’t want to.” His lips quivered and he bowed his head slightly before sniffing. Yifan instantaneously wrapped his arms around Yixing and caressed his back to calm him down.
“Hey, it’s okay. They need to rest too.” Yixing’s grandparents were sad to see that they’ve caused their grandchild to feel bad.
“Okay.” Yixing lifts his head up a little bit when he hears his grandfather say the word.
“Really?” He whispers against Yifan’s chest who’s still hiding most of him to his grandparents.
“Let’s just go early so there won’t be a lot of people.” Needless to say, Yixing was overjoyed that he almost lifted his grandfather off the ground.
They went to the park early and fortunately there weren’t a lot of people yet. They enjoyed the morning walk close to the river and had the lunch that Yixing’s grandmother prepared for them. They took pictures in every possible corner of the park and Yifan feels warm inside whenever he sees Yixing looking at the photos with a smile on his face.
“Happy?” He asks even if his best friend is currently the perfect example of happiness.
“Very.”
“They look very happy too.” Yifan points out as he watches Yixing’s grandparents take a seat on one of the free benches on the riverside.
“You know, I never thought that I’d see love that’ll last such a long time.” He continues and this time Yixing has his eyes on them too; camera completely forgotten in his hands.
“My parents, I see them fight a lot and I’m sure you have too.” Yifan explains the reason for his previous line when Yixing asked him why he said so. The younger nods and remembers the times when he would hear his parents argue but in the end they always kiss and make up.
“I want my love to be like theirs when I grow up; maybe even better.” Yixing blurts out as he watches his grandmother feed his grandfather a piece off of the moon cake.
Yifan looks at him and hopes to share that love with the younger.
They arrived at Huo Gong Dian in the afternoon and Yifan’s eyes immediately widen at the colors of the area. They traverse the tourist-filled path to watch the play amongst the many people after finding a place for Yixing’s grandparents to sit. Yifan held on to Yixing’s hand tightly in fears of losing his best friend in the crowd. The younger would look at their intertwined hands from time to time and sometimes the taller would catch him doing so which painted a smile on his face; the mere thought of him making Yixing’s heart flutter makes him giddy.
After the play, Yifan pulled him out of the crowd to have dinner with the old couple before walking around the street. Yixing premeditatedly bought milk because as far as he knows, Yifan isn’t good with eating spicy food. Little did he know, he’s the only who’s going to need the drink.
“For someone who came from Hunan, you’re weak with spicy food.” Yifan comments when he sees Yixing downing even his milk because he can’t take the heat.
“I try, okay?”
“A disgrace.” Yifan shakes his head and it only takes a pout from Yixing for him to stop his teasing.
After buying souvenirs for the boys back in Korea, they leave for the Changsha Ferris Wheel so they'll arrive just in time for the sunset.
"You won't be joining us? I bet the view is wonderful up there."
"We'll be fine here and, besides, you only have two tickets and look at the line." Grandma Zhang pointed to the long queue at the ticket booth. Yixing's shoulder collapsed because he can't share this experience with them.
"It's okay, son. We already rode it before you. Just have fun with Yifan." Grandpa Zhang lightly pushed Yixing to the taller boy who placed the backpack he's been carrying around the whole day on the bench where the old couple is seated. Yifan pulls him by the hand and Yixing can only look back once before they're entering the gates to the ride.
"Hey, don't be sad now." Yifan lifted his face up by the chin and patted his pouted lips with his thumb. Yixing froze for a bit and the older sensed it and immediately withdrew his hand.
"We're next." They had the eight-seater all to themselves and then they slowly ascended. Yixing had his camera out to capture the view of the setting sun from above and the lights of the city.
"Beautiful." He murmured as he let his finger click away.
Very. Yifan thought as he watched Yixing's former frown turn into a smile, a dimpled smile which he couldn't resist but poke. Yixing giggled when he felt his best friend's finger on his cheek. He pointed the camera at Yifan who hid his face with his large hands.
Yixing held down his hands and looked at him with a serious face, mouthing: just one photo, please. Yifan gave up and smiled for him, all teeth and gums with the sunset as his backdrop.
"We should take a photo together." Yifan blurted out but Yixing didn't seem to mind the slip. The taller patted the space beside him and Yixing slid across; careful not to tip the weight so suddenly.
Yixing gave the camera to Yifan since he has longer arms and they took more photos than necessary. He also took out his phone and they took more photos there. Yifan finds himself smiling again when his body is stuck to Yixing's side as he leans forward to see the photos that they took.
"I have something to tell you." Yifan sat up in attention and noticed that Yixing is blushing under the yellow lights of the ferris wheel.
"I got a message from our orchestra director and he said I'm doing another solo for the Winter concert." Yifan was expecting something more explosive, something pivotal to their relationship but then again this is something pivotal for Yixing's music career.
"I'm…so happy for you, Xing." He wanted to give the younger a hug but he's moved across again and it would be troublesome if he moved.
"That means I have to practice right after we land."
"Don't you have the auditions to practice for as well?" Yifan knows Yixing has to audition first to secure a spot at SNU and that the younger's been looking forward to his Saturdays because of that.
"They haven't given me a call yet so I don't know if I have a place there."
"Hey, don't say that I'm sure they're just waiting for the right time."
"I hope so." Yixing gives him a sad smile because he knows that he should have been called days before the summer vacation began; to give him enough time to prepare himself but up until he left for Changsha there was none.
Once their ride is over, they went straight to Yixing's grandparents and showed them the pictures they took. Yixing is all smiles again, much to Yifan's relief. Over dinner, Yixing tells his grandparents the good news and to say they were happy for him was an understatement.
Yixing planned to take Yifan to Yuelu Mountain the next day so they retire to bed early.
Yixing was always brought by his grandparents to the mountain every other weekend when his parents would take the time off to enjoy by themselves. He wanted to share another piece of his childhood to Yifan by bringing him there.
He thought Yifan would complain with all the walking but fortunately he didn't say a word. He'd occasionally hand the younger a drink or a towel to wipe his sweat off. They visited the temples and lounged whenever they would find benches or just laid a blanket on the grass.
"I wish I brought my guitar." Yixing eyes a group of teenagers probably just a bit older than them from the other side. They had a guitar and a pair of bongos with them and they were having fun with music.
"I thought we came here for the peace and quiet?" Yifan asked with his back against the bark of a tree, face covered by his cap as he tries to doze off after walking for what felt like hours.
"Guitars are still peaceful." Yixing retorts and he can see the older's face move beneath the cap; probably for a smile.
They rested for a bit after eaten their packed lunch. Yixing sat beside Yifan to have some support for his back as well.
"Do you wanna lie down?" Yifan suddenly asks when he feels Yixing's presence beside him.
"Huh? No. This is fine."
"Okay." Without saying any more, Yifan places his hand on Yixing's head before tipping it to so that it will lie on his shoulder.
"Nap. We still have a lot to see, right?" Yixing just hums and forces his eyes to close. He focuses on the sounds of the nearby stream and the birds to calm his heart down because he's sure even Yifan can hear how it sounds like it wants to escape his chest.
They resumed their sightseeing after an hour of napping and stayed in the mountain for the rest of the day; just savoring the clean air and the rare sights of nature that they don't usually get to enjoy in the busy city of Seoul.
~*~
When they got home, they didn't have too much words to share because they were exhausted from their trip. Lights out and they still haven't shared a word or two since they arrived.
"Fan? You asleep?"
"Not yet, why?" There was silence after his reply and he had to turn around to face Yixing to see if the other suddenly fell asleep out of exhaustion. He finds his best friend looking at the ceiling, absorbed in his own thoughts.
"Is something bothering you?"
"I'm going to tell my parents when we get back." Yixing spoke without even looking at him, his eyes still trained on the ceiling as if he's reading words from it.
"I'm sure they'll be happy about it." Yifan thought that the younger was talking about the winter show but Yixing's next few words corrected him.
"About me being gay, Fan."
"Oh." There was silence for a moment before he reached out to squeeze Yixing's smaller hand into his.
"Do you want me to be there?" Yixing breaks his gaze from the ceiling to look at the boy beside him. He never thought Yifan would be this supportive of him; how could he have left him behind years ago with that thought that this same person might shun him away because of his sexual preference.
"Thanks but I should do this on my own." He smiled dopily and Yifan squeezed his hand again for reassurance.
"They love you, Xing. Don't think too much of it." Yixing nodded and moments after drifted off to sleep with Yifan's hand joined with his.
- SEVENTEEN -