Death by chocolate. [FanXing, EXO, R, AU] 2/2
Title: Death by chocolate. 1/2
Author: gaussianblur89/89-archives/oeei
Rating: R
Beta: amlui
Pairings: Yixing/Yifan
Genre: AU, romance
Warnings: Racism, derogatory terminology, language and obscene amounts of chocolate
Summary: “What’s not to like about someone who makes chocolate this nice?” Zitao piped up and blinked his big eyes at Yixing.
“I don’t know, sweetheart,” Yixing confessed fondly. After a moment of silent musing he spoke up, “Will you let me guess your favourite chocolate?”
Comments: Prompt #16 for kissfanxing's Valentine's Day fic fest. Extensive A/N at the end of fic. Enjoy~
Word count: 10 394.
*
It was raining the next day and customers were scarce in the shop after three o’clock. Yixing had advertised on various social media accounts he was doing a rainy-day special to cheer people up. His regulars had visited and complimented him on the theme of the day, and he had even gotten an email asking him if he did commissions for wedding favours. Yixing loved weddings and had agreed in a heart-beat, sending back an offer of what he was able to do and what he would charge.
Yixing was going through his social network feeds and emails, when Boxian tottered into the make-shift office with a stuffed alpaca in his arms.
“Baba?” the boy asked warily.
“What is it Boxian?” Yixing turned and beckoned him to come and sit in his lap. The boy climbed into his father’s embrace and leaned into his chest.
“Yifan-gege and Zitao-gege aren’t really coming back are they?” his lower lip trembled. Yixing’s heart broke at the sadness in his son’s voice. He hugged Boxian closer to his chest and kissed him on the forehead.
“What makes you think that?” he asked softly, pushing his laptop further away from himself.
“They say they’re travellers and they can’t be trusted and that Yifan-gege is as creep who steals children-” Boxian hiccupped. “And that if you’re stolen you never get back home and you can’t trust him and the people he travels with…”
“Shh, love, calm down…” Yixing shushed his son, trying his best to remain calm as well. “Who says this?” Yixing’s sorrow was quickly being replaced with anger, because he didn’t understand why someone would make such terrible accusations of someone who deep down was really sweet and kind.
“School, baba.” Boxian muttered timidly.
“They know nothing about our friendship with Yifan-ge and Zitao,” Yixing spoke gently, despite he was three seconds away from getting up and making an angry phone call to the administrative office in school. He doubted it would have a difference, since he already was the odd one out in the community, but when it was about his child, his hackles were automatically raised. “Remember that those who know Yifan-ge and Zitao would never ever say anything like that. Okay?”
“Okay.” Boxian sniffed and nodded vigorously.
“Baba promises he’ll try to contact Yifan-ge later today,” Yixing leaned back from the embrace and pushed Boxian’s hair away from his face. “If I catch him I’ll yell at him for leaving altogether.”
“Don’t yell too much. Zitao-gege doesn’t like yelling.” Boxian looked worried at his father and Yixing chuckled.
“I know. But Yifan-ge can handle some yelling, don’t you think?” Yixing smiled. “Now, remember that only you and I know Yifan-ge and Zitao-ge the best. Those in school, they don’t know what they’re talking about.”
Boxian nodded and climbed off his father’s lap.
“I’m going to go practice French now, baba!” he announced. Yixing smiled at the endearing determination in his son’s eyes and the boy darted off.
“Remember you have aikido later tonight!”
If Boxian heard him at all was left for debate, and Yixing rolled some stiffness out of his shoulders and turned back to his computer. Another email inquiry about bespoke confection rates had come in among other things and Yixing forgot about contacting Yifan for the night.
Later, when the rain had let up, they had walked to Boxian’s aikido practice and when his son was busy training, Yixing sat beside the tatami and tried to desperately come up with a good conversation opener.
“Boxian says hi and wanted to tell you he’s started taking aikido classes”
“How is driving?”
“Has it been raining where you are now?”
“Has Zitao become taller than you already?”
“Do you think rosemary will taste good in chocolate?”
“I tried some weird combinations last week but I don’t think I made something edible.”
“Where are you?”
“Boxian misses his Zitao-gege.”
“I miss you”
Yixing erased the last text message faster than he had erased the previous ones and bit his lower lip to keep the emotions at bay. It was more for the fear of admitting everything to himself, than fearing someone in his immediate vicinity would know how to read Chinese. He was not going to be emotional over this right now, when he had been pushing his feelings of longing away for almost a year already. In front of him, Boxian tackled his pair and both children laughed happily.
Being the good father that he was, Yixing rubbed his face agitatedly and pocketed his phone in favour of returning his attention to Boxian. He would have to re-schedule his bitterness and anger over his broken heart for another time. The teacher was rounding up the kids for the final greetings and bows.
They walked home in silence, Boxian humming more Lady GaGa songs than Yixing cared to remember the names of, and Yixing couldn’t stop thinking of the text messages he hadn’t sent and the promises he had yet to fill for his son. Guilt sat bone-deep in him, as did the gnawing longing at the bottom of his stomach.
“Baba will lock up here, you go shower upstairs ok?”
“Ok baba!”
When Boxian was out of sight, Yixing exhaled and sat down on their door step. He took out his phone again and opened the old chats they had shared last summer. The last message from him was roughly a few weeks ago, when he had congratulated Zitao on his birthday. Yixing didn’t actually know if the message had gone through at all, or if they still were playing guessing games.
He selected Yifan’s number and after a moment of hesitation, he hit ‘call’ hoping against hope that there would be a dial tone.
“Please, please, please…” he mumbled to himself and fidgeted with his shoelaces. Sometimes he wondered why he hadn’t given up and moved on, like sensible adults did. Maybe it was because he still was a child at heart; despite he would turn 36 next year. “Ring you stupid piece of shit.” he mouthed harshly at the phone. Logically, Yixing understood it wasn’t something he should blame the phone on, but it helped ease the frustration.
He listened idly to the sounds on his end of the phone, counting pebbles on the asphalt in front of him and Yixing wondered if they’d ever meet again-
“Hello?”
*
Yixing threw the spatula into the sink and it made an ugly clanking sound.
“You-” he gritted out and Yifan laughed heartily behind him. “You’re impossible!”
“No,” Yifan smiled and backed away from Yixing’s accusing fingers and glares. “I’m perfectly fine; it’s you who is too stubborn for your own good.”
“Hah!” Yixing huffed and crossed his arms in front of his chest. “I’ve guessed the favourites of Zitao, half this town and even your friends from your camp! But you, you just… Ugh!” Yixing threw his hands up and turned back to the mess on his working table where various confections had been lined up.
“These were all exquisite; Yixing, but they’re not my favourites.” Yifan said calmly, his eyes soft with laughter and amusement. Yixing puffed out his cheeks and pushed his hair back from his eyes.
Yixing had tried everything - from plain milk chocolate pralines, to yuzu filled confections in shells made out of dark, raw, bitter chocolate. Yifan had tasted everything and smiled softly at Yixing, told him every single piece was gorgeous, but they weren’t his favourites. He had figured out Zitao’s mother’s favourites last week, as well as Yifan’s friends favourites without a problem, but Yifan kept resisting. He had gone so far he had asked two of Yifan’s closest friends, Zhongdai and Canlie, what they knew about Yifan’s preferences. They had been absolutely useless. Yixing had taken revenge by pointing out their favourites and he had them coming back for more every other day.
“Don’t fret so much about this,” Yifan patted Yixing on the shoulder in hopes of consoling him. Yixing huffed again and pushed around the pralines, trying to figure out what he could put up for sale and what he would have to either get rid of or just try to push them at friends. “Stop fretting.” Yifan repeated and tapped Yixing’s forehead with a finger.
“Never, I’m Boxian’s dad remember? I will always fret.”
“Boxian’s a good boy and you’re being absolutely ridiculous over chocolate. Shouldn’t it be simple?”
“Chocolate is never simple,” Yixing retorted and peeled himself away from Yifan. “I’d be out of work if chocolate was simple because everyone would be making their own and not trusting me to make them something special.”
“But your chocolates have a simple purpose, don’t they?” Yifan tried. Yixing looked at him with curious wariness in his eyes.
“Do go on.” he challenged.
“I think they’re simple because for one, they bring happiness,” Yifan’s eyes were sincere when he spoke. “I remember when you picked out Zitao’s favourite and the boy shone up like a sun and the last time I saw him that happy was when I got him a football.” Yixing chuckled at that, because that was one of his fondest memories to date. He looked fondly at Yifan; despite he almost had insulted Yixing’s professional pride a minute ago.
“You’re incredibly cheesy, but do go on.” Yixing prompted and Yifan suddenly looked a little put out. It amused Yixing, because Yifan’s massive brows furrowed and his small mouth settled in a pout.
“Well, chocolate brings pleasure too.” he said very simply after twisting and turning in front of Yixing.
“Naturally,” Yixing smiled. “Chocolate is very pleasurable.” he cocked one eyebrow as if to challenge Yifan and laughed heartily when the other visibly squirmed.
“Yeah…”
“Are you embarrassed?”
“No!”
“Okay,” Yixing grinned. He didn’t believe half of what Yifan was saying to reassure himself chocolate hadn’t been pleasurable for him. “Come here, mister. Help me plate the ones with chilli; I’m going to sell them tomorrow.”
Yifan grunted next to him, pulled on some way too small plastic gloves and helped Yixing pick out the seasoned chocolates that would go into the display in the shop. They worked in silence for a while and Yixing enjoyed the presence of Yifan’s bigger, slightly clumsier frame beside him. He looked up at him a few times and found the other was smiling back at him, asking for silent reassurance and when Yixing nodded approvingly to his handiwork, Yifan looked like a praised puppy.
“I’m thinking of having a small get together next week,” he confessed when most of the chocolates were placed in the display. “I thought of inviting my regular customers and I thought you could bring a few of your favourite people with you.” Yixing’s cheek dimpled.
“Are you sure it’s a good idea? Me bringing my friends I mean?” Yifan looked a little uncomfortable with the idea. “We’re not popular here.”
“I’m sure it’ll be fine…” Yixing reassured, and touched Yifan’s arm gently. “Trust me.” warmth radiated from his eyes and Yifan relaxed, almost leaned into the touch.
“Okay.” he agreed after a heartbeat or three of silence and thought. Yixing smiled brightly.
“I’ll make sure it’s pleasurable for all of us.”
“Yixing!”
Yixing’s small get together was not bigger than ten people, as he had promised Yifan earlier. He had invited the couple that came to his shop together all the time, as well as a few other people who kept coming back. Yifan had brought his favourite persons, as well as Zitao to keep company for Boxian whom Yixing had promised would be bored as soon as the food had disappeared from the table.
The chocolaterie had the advantage of a small gated garden at the back of the house and Yixing had carried out tables and chairs to have it there. He had lit candles and pulled fairy-lights from some boxes that had collected dust at the bottom of a drawer. It looked cute, rustic and just like Yixing had wished. Not too formal, but relaxed and fun.
During the preparation of everything, Yixing had refused the help of anyone to make sure everything was a surprise. Boxian had peeked through the kitchen door at odd intervals, only to be shooed away by his father. He had told everyone around him everything included chocolate, but otherwise Boxian had no idea what his dad was going to put on the plates.
When the guests had arrived, the thick scent of chocolate and home-cooked food had permeated the air and the table was set with fish, meat and vegetables, all accompanied with chocolate in some form. Yixing had set up a small sound-system and so the awed silence was replaced with soft guitar music.
“I hope you will enjoy yourselves and have a good time.” Yixing bowed slightly and invited his guests to sit down and help themselves with everything they could imagine.
His regulars had been slightly vary of Yifan’s friends, but after a few glasses of wine, platefuls of good food and a couple of ice breakers, the mood let up and people started to enjoy themselves genuinely. Yixing’s heart fluttered with happiness. Boxian had pulled Zitao inside to watch videos on youtube when they had gotten enough of the food and the ‘boring company of adults’ as he had put it. Yixing had allowed the boys to go have fun, but they were to come tell him if they were leaving the house.
When the main courses were cleared, Yixing carried platefuls of pralines to the table, insisting he didn’t need help when others offered.
“I hope I’ve remembered all your favourites,” he smiled softly, got toasts and a pointed yet amused glare from Yifan. “Please.”
The night progressed wonderfully and at some point, Canlie pulled out his guitar and offered to take requests from the guests, accompanied by Zhongdai’s singing, occasionally howling. Yixing was happy everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves despite the fumbling start. Eventually, Boxian came running with Zitao, hugging his father and hoping he could go to Yifan’s camp and play with Ace. Yixing found himself agreeing with every pout and puppy-eyed look he was assaulted with and the boys escaped him before he finished his sentence.
“You’re going to regret agreeing to everything he asks for.” a soft voice reprimanded in his ear and Yixing flinched before he laughed heartily at Yifan, who stood behind him with two cups of sweet summer wine in his hands.
“Let the boy live for a moment, will you?” Yixing accepted the offered cup and took a generous sip. It was strong, just as he had intended.
“He’ll become impossible.” Yifan laughed and sat down beside Yixing, a little too close for comfort, but Yixing’s liquid courage made him braver and Yifan smelled pleasant. He moved his eyes away from Yifan and looked over the dancing people in the middle of the garden.
“Zhongdai can’t dance.” he noted offhandedly and Yifan chuckled beside him.
“Don’t tell him,” Yifan stage whispered and Yixing’s shivered from the breath that tickled his bare neck. “He likes to think he’s smooth.”
“Let’s indulge him a bit longer then.” Yixing offered. Yifan looked down at him, a goofy smile on his lips and something flashed in his eyes when their eyes met. Yixing flushed, but didn’t look away until Canlie howled over his playing. Yixing was momentarily very interested in the half-full cup in his hands and he missed the fond look on Yifan’s face, before the other turned his focus back to the dancing crowd.
At some point Yixing’s favourite customers invited him to dance, and Yixing was all too indulgent to say no. The wife of the middle-aged couple held his shoulder and hand firmly in hers as they spun around on the dance floor. Yixing snuck glances in Yifan’s direction and found him watching them intently. Yixing tightened the hold of the woman and put a little more gusto in his dancing, eliciting a delighted giggle from her. Maybe it was his slightly tipsy demeanour who challenged him to challenge Yifan, for his interest had peaked at a point he could not pinpoint exactly. But Yixing was curious and even more so when Yifan rose from his spot by the table and disappeared to somewhere. He laughed and smoothly handed over the wife to her husband to continue.
Yixing masked his leaving with picking up one of the water pitchers and went inside. He had a hunch he’d find Yifan in the kitchen and he was right. Yifan looked like an enormous lost puppy who stalked around and Yixing’s heart stuttered with endearment.
“If I didn’t know better, I’d say you’re moping.” he chuckled.
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Yifan huffed and watched Yixing take out another water pitcher form the fridge and filling the other he had brought with him. There was no malice in his voice and his hard gaze softened remarkably when Yixing turned and smiled teasingly at him. “I’m not.” he pressed.
“Okay,” Yixing brushed by Yifan’s side with purpose and felt the other tense momentarily. “Come back out then. I think they want to dance with you too.” he stopped in front of Yifan, slightly too close for comfort.
“I don’t want to dance with them, though.” he reached for the pitcher in Yixing’s hands and put it down on the counter. His eyes challenged Yixing as much as Yixing had challenged Yifan moments earlier. The gaze was far from innocent and Yixing found his eyes travelling up and down Yifan’s features, stopping repeatedly on his pink mouth.
“Oh?” he breathed.
“Yeah,” Yifan uttered smartly, making Yixing smile. “I’d rather-” hesitance took over and he looked away.
“What?” Yixing pressed gently and Yifan, now encouraged, let the situation lead him to take the following step closer and closer until he towered over Yixing.
“I’d rather- Fuck, can I kiss you?”
“What are you waiting for?” and it was all the encouraging it took for Yifan to bend down and capture Yixing’s plump mouth with his. Yixing craned his neck to meet Yifan, wrapping his arms around his neck to keep his balance. The kiss was shy and innocent, but made Yixing’s insides turn and his heart flutter. They parted momentarily, before Yifan leaned back in and kissed him eagerly, hands setting gently on his waist. Yixing parted his lips and invited Yifan to deepen the kiss, a happy little sound escaping him when Yifan’s tongue pushed against his.
If someone would’ve asked, he couldn’t have explained how they had ended up in this situation, breaths mingling and noses touching. Yifan’s kisses kept burning on his lips and he couldn’t remember the last time he felt this overwhelmed by someone. But Yifan was there, solid under his careful hands.
“What are we doing?” he breathed softly, biting his lips as he still could taste Yifan on his tongue and the hint of cardamom that clung to his skin was like having a piece of home brought back to him.
“I think we’re being fantastically reckless,” Yifan’s hands were firm on Yixing’s waist and the goofy grin on his face revealed his gums when he smiled. “Zhang Yixing…”
“Wu Yifan,” Yixing’s eyes crinkled in the corners and his dimple sat deep in his cheek. “Kiss me again?”
“Gladly.”
They kissed for a while, before the door to the garden clicked open and the two pulled apart. Yixing was quick to smooth down his crumpled shirt and Yifan tried to push his hair back and calm his reddening cheeks. Yixing was about to leave and greet whoever had decided they had business inside, but Yifan held onto his arm firmly and stopped him from leaving. Insecurity flashed in his eyes and Yixing licked his kiss-swollen lips.
“Be the last one to leave?” he suggested and Yifan nodded, his shoulders sagging with relief.
The last guests staggered away closer to three in the morning. Canlie and Zhongdai remained suspicious of Yifan not leaving with them. He reassured them again and again to just go, take care of the kids that must’ve been terrorising camp.
“Will Boxian and Zitao be okay?” Yixing asked when the last plates had been taken to the kitchen and all of the candles had been blown out. He led him upstairs, feeling brave and full of need. Yifan’s hand held his and it made him feel warm all over. Yixing’s bedroom was no big suite and his bed was wide enough to almost fit two persons if the slept close to each other. He pulled Yifan close and stood up on his toes to reach his lips.
“Zitao’s mother is a tiger in disguise; they’ll be safe and sound.” Yifan muttered against Yixing’s lips when he gently kicked the bedroom door shut behind him.
“Remind me to take her favourites with me, when I come get my run-away son.”
“She’ll adore you forever.” Yifan sighed and his eyes fell closed when they kissed with less and less innocence and more raw need.
Yixing lost his shirt a moment later and he braced himself against his dresser drawer, when Yifan’s mouth travelled down his body, leaving wet kisses on his sternum and nipples. His breath hitched as Yifan went lower and lower, unbuttoning his chinos as he went. Finally, Yifan was kneeling in front of him and Yixing felt exposed and hot all over.
“Tell me to stop whenever.” Yifan murmured with his hand around Yixing’s cock.
“Yes.”
Yixing learned Yifan was a generous lover, who took his time making sure his partner was cared for before he even considered his own needs. He worshipped Yixing’s body when they stumbled into bed, and Yixing’s back arched to the touches and kisses. Never once did he have to feel shy about his soft body that lacked the definition Yifan’s had. He marvelled the bigger man between his spread legs who kissed him all over - behind his knees, on his hipbones and clavicles. And when he finally pushed into Yixing’s body, he was strung so tight he cried out and Yifan stopped again and again to ask if Yixing was okay and if he liked it like this.
“So pretty,” Yifan praised and Yixing blushed scarlet under the intense gaze. “Look at you. So gorgeous.” he muttered with reverence and bent down over Yixing’s trembling body to kiss him softly. Yixing wound his hands around Yifan’s shoulders and his legs around his hips to keep him close and kiss him more. Yifan moved slowly with calculated moves and Yixing thought this was what it must feel like to be impossibly, stupidly in love. He didn’t get to analyse his feelings for too long, when Yifan’s cock brushed against his prostate and made him delirious.
“Yifan…” he moaned, his voice hoarse. Yifan chuckled and braced himself on his arms to get to a better angle.
“Do you feel good?” he asked, a teasing lilt to his voice.
“So good,” Yixing rolled his hips against Yifan’s. “Oh god, don’t stop.”
“Shh, I’ve got you,” Yifan rocked harder against Yixing, sending the smaller man into a frenzy of tingling toes and fingertips. “I’ve got you.”
Yixing clawed at Yifan’s back when he came, shameless in his moaning. Yifan finished only a minute after him and was careful to not collapse on top of Yixing. Yixing opened his arms for Yifan to crawl into after he had disposed of the condom and helped clean Yixing up a bit.
“Hi.” he greeted, no shyness in his dimpled smile. Yifan settled next to him, and invited Yixing to crawl into his embrace instead.
“Hello.” Yifan’s voice was hoarse and his smile gummy - the one Yixing liked best.
“Stay the night?”
“Okay.”
Yifan was adorably shy the next morning, but let himself be coddled by Yixing. It was all cautious touches before chocolate infused coffee and fried eggs on toast. Yixing was allowed to trace the shape of Yifan’s shoulder blades through his wrinkly shirt, his touch adoring before he leaned against the other’s shoulder.
“I like mine as sunny side ups.” he smiled and pecked Yifan’s cheek. It was a domestic bliss and Yixing revelled in the feeling. Yifan smelled of his shower gel and Yixing was maybe a bit infatuated. Yifan’s hungry kisses on Yixing’s lips and face almost burnt their food.
After breakfast, they walked side by side to the camp where Boxian had run off to last night. Yixing found his son playing cards with Zitao, Canlie and Zhongdai over the smell of fresh pan coffee and cigarettes.
“I hope you haven’t been naughty.” Yixing smiled and gathered his boy in a gentle embrace.
“I was good. Zitao cried because of bugs though!” Boxian chortled.
“I did not!”
All adults laughed and Yixing made sure to thank Zitao’s mother for taking care of his son the previous night. She claimed he spoiled her with his confections and told him to come visit them more often. Boxian hurried to collect his things and was bedazzled with a couple of bracelets by his new friends in camp.
“Come on, let’s go home,” he took Boxian’s hand. “I’m sure Yifan and Zitao have a lot to do today. We’ll see them later, ok?” Yixing looked up to Yifan and the other smiled gently at him. Yixing squeezed Boxian’s hand a little harder. He would’ve wanted to squeeze Yifan’s hand too, but they never had the chance to talk about how they felt about what had happened. Yixing knew he wouldn’t mind if it happened again and again. He reached out and touched Yifan’s shoulder and mouthed he’d message him. Yifan’s smile was gummy when they left camp and went back into town.
*
“Yifan?”
“Yixing? I-”
“Where did you go?” Yixing sighed and was reminded of the weeks of heart break he went through when Yifan had up and left without notice. “I was so worried…” he wanted to shout at Yifan and slam the phone shut - no crush it with his kitchen utensils, whatever helped him blow off the frustration in him. He slumped on the stairs in front of his chocolaterie and pushed a hand through his hair. But deep down he had missed Yifan and his voice, not to mention his awkward laugh and gummy smile.
“I’m sorry…” Yifan’s voice spoke after a beat of silence on both ends.
“What the fuck happened Yifan?” Yixing spoke softly. “I thought all was good… Maybe not perfect, but good.”
“It was good!” Yifan sounded as frustrated as Yixing felt. There were traffic noises coming from the other side of the line and Yixing figured the other must be driving. “God dammit Yixing I-” his sentence was cut short and swear words littered the entire conversation and rapid fire Mandarin coloured the conversation for a good few seconds before he came back. “I’m sorry about that.”
“You’re driving, aren’t you?” Yixing couldn’t help the fond smile that stretched over his features.
“Yeah…”
“Is the road busy?”
“Not so much. But you know how the French drive.” a small chuckle sounded through the speaker. Yeah, Yixing knew how the French drove, having almost become flattened by cars more times than he cared to count.
“You’re in France?” Yixing hated how hopeful he sounded, because despite he was angry with Yifan, he remained hopeful that he would come back.
“We just got out of Paris,” Yifan revealed. “I hate to drive there, it’s absolutely horrific.” to underline his statement someone honked in the distance and Yifan sputtered curses left and right. Yixing smiled, because he remembered Paris from a few years ago. It had been busy, rather anonymous and business had been good. But it had also been unfathomably lonely despite the constant flow of people. So when the northern wind had rattled his windows, he had packed and left for other cities.
“Zitao will have a potty mouth listening to you.” he warned with no malice in his voice. Yifan snorted.
“I’ll make sure I make a proper boy out of him. And his mother will have him skinned if he says anything of the kind in her presence.” there was a sense of pride in Yifan’s voice. Silence fills the conversation for a while and Yixing listened to the sounds coming from Yifan’s car.
“Where are you heading?” Yixing dared after maybe a minute. The soft inhale-exhale on the other side sounded like hesitation in Yixing’s ears.
“I don’t know.”
“Bullshit,” Yixing blurted. “I’m sorry, that was uncalled for, I-”
“Yixing- I-” Yifan let out another frustrated sigh, followed by loaded silence.
“What?”
“I’m fucking terrified ok?” Yifan confessed. “It was a dick move from me to just up and leave, but I was fucking terrified after you left camp last summer and I panicked.”
Yixing sighed softly and wished they were having this conversation face to face so he could read Yifan’s facial expressions, maybe reassure him with a touch to his shoulder.
“It’s ok to be scared, Yifan.” he tried softly. “I just wished you would’ve told me.”
“I know. And I’m sorry.”
“Boxian misses you. And Zitao. And Ace.”
“Zitao’s been crying over this too. He also misses his favourite chocolates.”
“I miss the boy too. He was such a good customer.” Yixing smiled and got up from the steps he was sitting on. He got inside the shop, locked the front door and shut all lights on the way up to the apartment. Yixing could hear Boxian was still splashing around in the bathroom and allowed the boy to wage a water war this time, despite it was a chore to clean up afterwards.
“Hey, Yixing?” Yifan spoke after a beat of silence.
“Yeah?”
“Are you still up for figuring out my favourite?”
Yixing’s breath hitched and his emotions were a mess of happy curiosity and relief. He clutched his phone tightly against his ear as a dimpling smile stretched across his face.
“I’m still mad at you, but…” Yixing sighed, followed by an amused chuckle. “But most definitely.”
END.
AN: I have no idea why I tackled this challenge, but I suppose I’m actually glad I did, because I love the film and I love the pairing, as well as chocolate. Also, there’s never enough OTP.
Whoever threw the prompt, thank you, sorry and I hope this has lived up to your expectations! I’ve made some conscious decisions and edits regarding the fic. You’ve probably noticed it isn’t a word for word transcript, but rather an adaptation and only a few segments of the film, yet I’ve aimed to keep it as true as possible to the original storyline, while still making this fic my own. I figured a single dad in the 60’s wouldn’t have been as special as a single mother, so I chose to make this a contemporary story instead.
Many already noticed the presence of Beagle line, but with their Chinese names. I thought it’d be a good idea to make them all “Chinese”. OP wanted either baby Baekhyun or baby Tao, and I chose Baekhyun to be Yixing’s son, for some reason… Don’t ask lol.
I want to offer special thanks for a group of friends for helping this fic happen. To my roomie for occasionally patting my back and helping me elaborate the story where it was lacking.
Thanks to my beta and twinny, for reading this through and correcting my grammar and spelling when I was lacking.
Finally, to my tlist for listening me cry over wth I’m doing.
Author: gaussianblur89/89-archives/oeei
Rating: R
Beta: amlui
Pairings: Yixing/Yifan
Genre: AU, romance
Warnings: Racism, derogatory terminology, language and obscene amounts of chocolate
Summary: “What’s not to like about someone who makes chocolate this nice?” Zitao piped up and blinked his big eyes at Yixing.
“I don’t know, sweetheart,” Yixing confessed fondly. After a moment of silent musing he spoke up, “Will you let me guess your favourite chocolate?”
Comments: Prompt #16 for kissfanxing's Valentine's Day fic fest. Extensive A/N at the end of fic. Enjoy~
Word count: 10 394.
*
It was raining the next day and customers were scarce in the shop after three o’clock. Yixing had advertised on various social media accounts he was doing a rainy-day special to cheer people up. His regulars had visited and complimented him on the theme of the day, and he had even gotten an email asking him if he did commissions for wedding favours. Yixing loved weddings and had agreed in a heart-beat, sending back an offer of what he was able to do and what he would charge.
Yixing was going through his social network feeds and emails, when Boxian tottered into the make-shift office with a stuffed alpaca in his arms.
“Baba?” the boy asked warily.
“What is it Boxian?” Yixing turned and beckoned him to come and sit in his lap. The boy climbed into his father’s embrace and leaned into his chest.
“Yifan-gege and Zitao-gege aren’t really coming back are they?” his lower lip trembled. Yixing’s heart broke at the sadness in his son’s voice. He hugged Boxian closer to his chest and kissed him on the forehead.
“What makes you think that?” he asked softly, pushing his laptop further away from himself.
“They say they’re travellers and they can’t be trusted and that Yifan-gege is as creep who steals children-” Boxian hiccupped. “And that if you’re stolen you never get back home and you can’t trust him and the people he travels with…”
“Shh, love, calm down…” Yixing shushed his son, trying his best to remain calm as well. “Who says this?” Yixing’s sorrow was quickly being replaced with anger, because he didn’t understand why someone would make such terrible accusations of someone who deep down was really sweet and kind.
“School, baba.” Boxian muttered timidly.
“They know nothing about our friendship with Yifan-ge and Zitao,” Yixing spoke gently, despite he was three seconds away from getting up and making an angry phone call to the administrative office in school. He doubted it would have a difference, since he already was the odd one out in the community, but when it was about his child, his hackles were automatically raised. “Remember that those who know Yifan-ge and Zitao would never ever say anything like that. Okay?”
“Okay.” Boxian sniffed and nodded vigorously.
“Baba promises he’ll try to contact Yifan-ge later today,” Yixing leaned back from the embrace and pushed Boxian’s hair away from his face. “If I catch him I’ll yell at him for leaving altogether.”
“Don’t yell too much. Zitao-gege doesn’t like yelling.” Boxian looked worried at his father and Yixing chuckled.
“I know. But Yifan-ge can handle some yelling, don’t you think?” Yixing smiled. “Now, remember that only you and I know Yifan-ge and Zitao-ge the best. Those in school, they don’t know what they’re talking about.”
Boxian nodded and climbed off his father’s lap.
“I’m going to go practice French now, baba!” he announced. Yixing smiled at the endearing determination in his son’s eyes and the boy darted off.
“Remember you have aikido later tonight!”
If Boxian heard him at all was left for debate, and Yixing rolled some stiffness out of his shoulders and turned back to his computer. Another email inquiry about bespoke confection rates had come in among other things and Yixing forgot about contacting Yifan for the night.
Later, when the rain had let up, they had walked to Boxian’s aikido practice and when his son was busy training, Yixing sat beside the tatami and tried to desperately come up with a good conversation opener.
“Boxian says hi and wanted to tell you he’s started taking aikido classes”
“How is driving?”
“Has it been raining where you are now?”
“Has Zitao become taller than you already?”
“Do you think rosemary will taste good in chocolate?”
“I tried some weird combinations last week but I don’t think I made something edible.”
“Where are you?”
“Boxian misses his Zitao-gege.”
“I miss you”
Yixing erased the last text message faster than he had erased the previous ones and bit his lower lip to keep the emotions at bay. It was more for the fear of admitting everything to himself, than fearing someone in his immediate vicinity would know how to read Chinese. He was not going to be emotional over this right now, when he had been pushing his feelings of longing away for almost a year already. In front of him, Boxian tackled his pair and both children laughed happily.
Being the good father that he was, Yixing rubbed his face agitatedly and pocketed his phone in favour of returning his attention to Boxian. He would have to re-schedule his bitterness and anger over his broken heart for another time. The teacher was rounding up the kids for the final greetings and bows.
They walked home in silence, Boxian humming more Lady GaGa songs than Yixing cared to remember the names of, and Yixing couldn’t stop thinking of the text messages he hadn’t sent and the promises he had yet to fill for his son. Guilt sat bone-deep in him, as did the gnawing longing at the bottom of his stomach.
“Baba will lock up here, you go shower upstairs ok?”
“Ok baba!”
When Boxian was out of sight, Yixing exhaled and sat down on their door step. He took out his phone again and opened the old chats they had shared last summer. The last message from him was roughly a few weeks ago, when he had congratulated Zitao on his birthday. Yixing didn’t actually know if the message had gone through at all, or if they still were playing guessing games.
He selected Yifan’s number and after a moment of hesitation, he hit ‘call’ hoping against hope that there would be a dial tone.
“Please, please, please…” he mumbled to himself and fidgeted with his shoelaces. Sometimes he wondered why he hadn’t given up and moved on, like sensible adults did. Maybe it was because he still was a child at heart; despite he would turn 36 next year. “Ring you stupid piece of shit.” he mouthed harshly at the phone. Logically, Yixing understood it wasn’t something he should blame the phone on, but it helped ease the frustration.
He listened idly to the sounds on his end of the phone, counting pebbles on the asphalt in front of him and Yixing wondered if they’d ever meet again-
“Hello?”
*
Yixing threw the spatula into the sink and it made an ugly clanking sound.
“You-” he gritted out and Yifan laughed heartily behind him. “You’re impossible!”
“No,” Yifan smiled and backed away from Yixing’s accusing fingers and glares. “I’m perfectly fine; it’s you who is too stubborn for your own good.”
“Hah!” Yixing huffed and crossed his arms in front of his chest. “I’ve guessed the favourites of Zitao, half this town and even your friends from your camp! But you, you just… Ugh!” Yixing threw his hands up and turned back to the mess on his working table where various confections had been lined up.
“These were all exquisite; Yixing, but they’re not my favourites.” Yifan said calmly, his eyes soft with laughter and amusement. Yixing puffed out his cheeks and pushed his hair back from his eyes.
Yixing had tried everything - from plain milk chocolate pralines, to yuzu filled confections in shells made out of dark, raw, bitter chocolate. Yifan had tasted everything and smiled softly at Yixing, told him every single piece was gorgeous, but they weren’t his favourites. He had figured out Zitao’s mother’s favourites last week, as well as Yifan’s friends favourites without a problem, but Yifan kept resisting. He had gone so far he had asked two of Yifan’s closest friends, Zhongdai and Canlie, what they knew about Yifan’s preferences. They had been absolutely useless. Yixing had taken revenge by pointing out their favourites and he had them coming back for more every other day.
“Don’t fret so much about this,” Yifan patted Yixing on the shoulder in hopes of consoling him. Yixing huffed again and pushed around the pralines, trying to figure out what he could put up for sale and what he would have to either get rid of or just try to push them at friends. “Stop fretting.” Yifan repeated and tapped Yixing’s forehead with a finger.
“Never, I’m Boxian’s dad remember? I will always fret.”
“Boxian’s a good boy and you’re being absolutely ridiculous over chocolate. Shouldn’t it be simple?”
“Chocolate is never simple,” Yixing retorted and peeled himself away from Yifan. “I’d be out of work if chocolate was simple because everyone would be making their own and not trusting me to make them something special.”
“But your chocolates have a simple purpose, don’t they?” Yifan tried. Yixing looked at him with curious wariness in his eyes.
“Do go on.” he challenged.
“I think they’re simple because for one, they bring happiness,” Yifan’s eyes were sincere when he spoke. “I remember when you picked out Zitao’s favourite and the boy shone up like a sun and the last time I saw him that happy was when I got him a football.” Yixing chuckled at that, because that was one of his fondest memories to date. He looked fondly at Yifan; despite he almost had insulted Yixing’s professional pride a minute ago.
“You’re incredibly cheesy, but do go on.” Yixing prompted and Yifan suddenly looked a little put out. It amused Yixing, because Yifan’s massive brows furrowed and his small mouth settled in a pout.
“Well, chocolate brings pleasure too.” he said very simply after twisting and turning in front of Yixing.
“Naturally,” Yixing smiled. “Chocolate is very pleasurable.” he cocked one eyebrow as if to challenge Yifan and laughed heartily when the other visibly squirmed.
“Yeah…”
“Are you embarrassed?”
“No!”
“Okay,” Yixing grinned. He didn’t believe half of what Yifan was saying to reassure himself chocolate hadn’t been pleasurable for him. “Come here, mister. Help me plate the ones with chilli; I’m going to sell them tomorrow.”
Yifan grunted next to him, pulled on some way too small plastic gloves and helped Yixing pick out the seasoned chocolates that would go into the display in the shop. They worked in silence for a while and Yixing enjoyed the presence of Yifan’s bigger, slightly clumsier frame beside him. He looked up at him a few times and found the other was smiling back at him, asking for silent reassurance and when Yixing nodded approvingly to his handiwork, Yifan looked like a praised puppy.
“I’m thinking of having a small get together next week,” he confessed when most of the chocolates were placed in the display. “I thought of inviting my regular customers and I thought you could bring a few of your favourite people with you.” Yixing’s cheek dimpled.
“Are you sure it’s a good idea? Me bringing my friends I mean?” Yifan looked a little uncomfortable with the idea. “We’re not popular here.”
“I’m sure it’ll be fine…” Yixing reassured, and touched Yifan’s arm gently. “Trust me.” warmth radiated from his eyes and Yifan relaxed, almost leaned into the touch.
“Okay.” he agreed after a heartbeat or three of silence and thought. Yixing smiled brightly.
“I’ll make sure it’s pleasurable for all of us.”
“Yixing!”
Yixing’s small get together was not bigger than ten people, as he had promised Yifan earlier. He had invited the couple that came to his shop together all the time, as well as a few other people who kept coming back. Yifan had brought his favourite persons, as well as Zitao to keep company for Boxian whom Yixing had promised would be bored as soon as the food had disappeared from the table.
The chocolaterie had the advantage of a small gated garden at the back of the house and Yixing had carried out tables and chairs to have it there. He had lit candles and pulled fairy-lights from some boxes that had collected dust at the bottom of a drawer. It looked cute, rustic and just like Yixing had wished. Not too formal, but relaxed and fun.
During the preparation of everything, Yixing had refused the help of anyone to make sure everything was a surprise. Boxian had peeked through the kitchen door at odd intervals, only to be shooed away by his father. He had told everyone around him everything included chocolate, but otherwise Boxian had no idea what his dad was going to put on the plates.
When the guests had arrived, the thick scent of chocolate and home-cooked food had permeated the air and the table was set with fish, meat and vegetables, all accompanied with chocolate in some form. Yixing had set up a small sound-system and so the awed silence was replaced with soft guitar music.
“I hope you will enjoy yourselves and have a good time.” Yixing bowed slightly and invited his guests to sit down and help themselves with everything they could imagine.
His regulars had been slightly vary of Yifan’s friends, but after a few glasses of wine, platefuls of good food and a couple of ice breakers, the mood let up and people started to enjoy themselves genuinely. Yixing’s heart fluttered with happiness. Boxian had pulled Zitao inside to watch videos on youtube when they had gotten enough of the food and the ‘boring company of adults’ as he had put it. Yixing had allowed the boys to go have fun, but they were to come tell him if they were leaving the house.
When the main courses were cleared, Yixing carried platefuls of pralines to the table, insisting he didn’t need help when others offered.
“I hope I’ve remembered all your favourites,” he smiled softly, got toasts and a pointed yet amused glare from Yifan. “Please.”
The night progressed wonderfully and at some point, Canlie pulled out his guitar and offered to take requests from the guests, accompanied by Zhongdai’s singing, occasionally howling. Yixing was happy everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves despite the fumbling start. Eventually, Boxian came running with Zitao, hugging his father and hoping he could go to Yifan’s camp and play with Ace. Yixing found himself agreeing with every pout and puppy-eyed look he was assaulted with and the boys escaped him before he finished his sentence.
“You’re going to regret agreeing to everything he asks for.” a soft voice reprimanded in his ear and Yixing flinched before he laughed heartily at Yifan, who stood behind him with two cups of sweet summer wine in his hands.
“Let the boy live for a moment, will you?” Yixing accepted the offered cup and took a generous sip. It was strong, just as he had intended.
“He’ll become impossible.” Yifan laughed and sat down beside Yixing, a little too close for comfort, but Yixing’s liquid courage made him braver and Yifan smelled pleasant. He moved his eyes away from Yifan and looked over the dancing people in the middle of the garden.
“Zhongdai can’t dance.” he noted offhandedly and Yifan chuckled beside him.
“Don’t tell him,” Yifan stage whispered and Yixing’s shivered from the breath that tickled his bare neck. “He likes to think he’s smooth.”
“Let’s indulge him a bit longer then.” Yixing offered. Yifan looked down at him, a goofy smile on his lips and something flashed in his eyes when their eyes met. Yixing flushed, but didn’t look away until Canlie howled over his playing. Yixing was momentarily very interested in the half-full cup in his hands and he missed the fond look on Yifan’s face, before the other turned his focus back to the dancing crowd.
At some point Yixing’s favourite customers invited him to dance, and Yixing was all too indulgent to say no. The wife of the middle-aged couple held his shoulder and hand firmly in hers as they spun around on the dance floor. Yixing snuck glances in Yifan’s direction and found him watching them intently. Yixing tightened the hold of the woman and put a little more gusto in his dancing, eliciting a delighted giggle from her. Maybe it was his slightly tipsy demeanour who challenged him to challenge Yifan, for his interest had peaked at a point he could not pinpoint exactly. But Yixing was curious and even more so when Yifan rose from his spot by the table and disappeared to somewhere. He laughed and smoothly handed over the wife to her husband to continue.
Yixing masked his leaving with picking up one of the water pitchers and went inside. He had a hunch he’d find Yifan in the kitchen and he was right. Yifan looked like an enormous lost puppy who stalked around and Yixing’s heart stuttered with endearment.
“If I didn’t know better, I’d say you’re moping.” he chuckled.
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Yifan huffed and watched Yixing take out another water pitcher form the fridge and filling the other he had brought with him. There was no malice in his voice and his hard gaze softened remarkably when Yixing turned and smiled teasingly at him. “I’m not.” he pressed.
“Okay,” Yixing brushed by Yifan’s side with purpose and felt the other tense momentarily. “Come back out then. I think they want to dance with you too.” he stopped in front of Yifan, slightly too close for comfort.
“I don’t want to dance with them, though.” he reached for the pitcher in Yixing’s hands and put it down on the counter. His eyes challenged Yixing as much as Yixing had challenged Yifan moments earlier. The gaze was far from innocent and Yixing found his eyes travelling up and down Yifan’s features, stopping repeatedly on his pink mouth.
“Oh?” he breathed.
“Yeah,” Yifan uttered smartly, making Yixing smile. “I’d rather-” hesitance took over and he looked away.
“What?” Yixing pressed gently and Yifan, now encouraged, let the situation lead him to take the following step closer and closer until he towered over Yixing.
“I’d rather- Fuck, can I kiss you?”
“What are you waiting for?” and it was all the encouraging it took for Yifan to bend down and capture Yixing’s plump mouth with his. Yixing craned his neck to meet Yifan, wrapping his arms around his neck to keep his balance. The kiss was shy and innocent, but made Yixing’s insides turn and his heart flutter. They parted momentarily, before Yifan leaned back in and kissed him eagerly, hands setting gently on his waist. Yixing parted his lips and invited Yifan to deepen the kiss, a happy little sound escaping him when Yifan’s tongue pushed against his.
If someone would’ve asked, he couldn’t have explained how they had ended up in this situation, breaths mingling and noses touching. Yifan’s kisses kept burning on his lips and he couldn’t remember the last time he felt this overwhelmed by someone. But Yifan was there, solid under his careful hands.
“What are we doing?” he breathed softly, biting his lips as he still could taste Yifan on his tongue and the hint of cardamom that clung to his skin was like having a piece of home brought back to him.
“I think we’re being fantastically reckless,” Yifan’s hands were firm on Yixing’s waist and the goofy grin on his face revealed his gums when he smiled. “Zhang Yixing…”
“Wu Yifan,” Yixing’s eyes crinkled in the corners and his dimple sat deep in his cheek. “Kiss me again?”
“Gladly.”
They kissed for a while, before the door to the garden clicked open and the two pulled apart. Yixing was quick to smooth down his crumpled shirt and Yifan tried to push his hair back and calm his reddening cheeks. Yixing was about to leave and greet whoever had decided they had business inside, but Yifan held onto his arm firmly and stopped him from leaving. Insecurity flashed in his eyes and Yixing licked his kiss-swollen lips.
“Be the last one to leave?” he suggested and Yifan nodded, his shoulders sagging with relief.
The last guests staggered away closer to three in the morning. Canlie and Zhongdai remained suspicious of Yifan not leaving with them. He reassured them again and again to just go, take care of the kids that must’ve been terrorising camp.
“Will Boxian and Zitao be okay?” Yixing asked when the last plates had been taken to the kitchen and all of the candles had been blown out. He led him upstairs, feeling brave and full of need. Yifan’s hand held his and it made him feel warm all over. Yixing’s bedroom was no big suite and his bed was wide enough to almost fit two persons if the slept close to each other. He pulled Yifan close and stood up on his toes to reach his lips.
“Zitao’s mother is a tiger in disguise; they’ll be safe and sound.” Yifan muttered against Yixing’s lips when he gently kicked the bedroom door shut behind him.
“Remind me to take her favourites with me, when I come get my run-away son.”
“She’ll adore you forever.” Yifan sighed and his eyes fell closed when they kissed with less and less innocence and more raw need.
Yixing lost his shirt a moment later and he braced himself against his dresser drawer, when Yifan’s mouth travelled down his body, leaving wet kisses on his sternum and nipples. His breath hitched as Yifan went lower and lower, unbuttoning his chinos as he went. Finally, Yifan was kneeling in front of him and Yixing felt exposed and hot all over.
“Tell me to stop whenever.” Yifan murmured with his hand around Yixing’s cock.
“Yes.”
Yixing learned Yifan was a generous lover, who took his time making sure his partner was cared for before he even considered his own needs. He worshipped Yixing’s body when they stumbled into bed, and Yixing’s back arched to the touches and kisses. Never once did he have to feel shy about his soft body that lacked the definition Yifan’s had. He marvelled the bigger man between his spread legs who kissed him all over - behind his knees, on his hipbones and clavicles. And when he finally pushed into Yixing’s body, he was strung so tight he cried out and Yifan stopped again and again to ask if Yixing was okay and if he liked it like this.
“So pretty,” Yifan praised and Yixing blushed scarlet under the intense gaze. “Look at you. So gorgeous.” he muttered with reverence and bent down over Yixing’s trembling body to kiss him softly. Yixing wound his hands around Yifan’s shoulders and his legs around his hips to keep him close and kiss him more. Yifan moved slowly with calculated moves and Yixing thought this was what it must feel like to be impossibly, stupidly in love. He didn’t get to analyse his feelings for too long, when Yifan’s cock brushed against his prostate and made him delirious.
“Yifan…” he moaned, his voice hoarse. Yifan chuckled and braced himself on his arms to get to a better angle.
“Do you feel good?” he asked, a teasing lilt to his voice.
“So good,” Yixing rolled his hips against Yifan’s. “Oh god, don’t stop.”
“Shh, I’ve got you,” Yifan rocked harder against Yixing, sending the smaller man into a frenzy of tingling toes and fingertips. “I’ve got you.”
Yixing clawed at Yifan’s back when he came, shameless in his moaning. Yifan finished only a minute after him and was careful to not collapse on top of Yixing. Yixing opened his arms for Yifan to crawl into after he had disposed of the condom and helped clean Yixing up a bit.
“Hi.” he greeted, no shyness in his dimpled smile. Yifan settled next to him, and invited Yixing to crawl into his embrace instead.
“Hello.” Yifan’s voice was hoarse and his smile gummy - the one Yixing liked best.
“Stay the night?”
“Okay.”
Yifan was adorably shy the next morning, but let himself be coddled by Yixing. It was all cautious touches before chocolate infused coffee and fried eggs on toast. Yixing was allowed to trace the shape of Yifan’s shoulder blades through his wrinkly shirt, his touch adoring before he leaned against the other’s shoulder.
“I like mine as sunny side ups.” he smiled and pecked Yifan’s cheek. It was a domestic bliss and Yixing revelled in the feeling. Yifan smelled of his shower gel and Yixing was maybe a bit infatuated. Yifan’s hungry kisses on Yixing’s lips and face almost burnt their food.
After breakfast, they walked side by side to the camp where Boxian had run off to last night. Yixing found his son playing cards with Zitao, Canlie and Zhongdai over the smell of fresh pan coffee and cigarettes.
“I hope you haven’t been naughty.” Yixing smiled and gathered his boy in a gentle embrace.
“I was good. Zitao cried because of bugs though!” Boxian chortled.
“I did not!”
All adults laughed and Yixing made sure to thank Zitao’s mother for taking care of his son the previous night. She claimed he spoiled her with his confections and told him to come visit them more often. Boxian hurried to collect his things and was bedazzled with a couple of bracelets by his new friends in camp.
“Come on, let’s go home,” he took Boxian’s hand. “I’m sure Yifan and Zitao have a lot to do today. We’ll see them later, ok?” Yixing looked up to Yifan and the other smiled gently at him. Yixing squeezed Boxian’s hand a little harder. He would’ve wanted to squeeze Yifan’s hand too, but they never had the chance to talk about how they felt about what had happened. Yixing knew he wouldn’t mind if it happened again and again. He reached out and touched Yifan’s shoulder and mouthed he’d message him. Yifan’s smile was gummy when they left camp and went back into town.
*
“Yifan?”
“Yixing? I-”
“Where did you go?” Yixing sighed and was reminded of the weeks of heart break he went through when Yifan had up and left without notice. “I was so worried…” he wanted to shout at Yifan and slam the phone shut - no crush it with his kitchen utensils, whatever helped him blow off the frustration in him. He slumped on the stairs in front of his chocolaterie and pushed a hand through his hair. But deep down he had missed Yifan and his voice, not to mention his awkward laugh and gummy smile.
“I’m sorry…” Yifan’s voice spoke after a beat of silence on both ends.
“What the fuck happened Yifan?” Yixing spoke softly. “I thought all was good… Maybe not perfect, but good.”
“It was good!” Yifan sounded as frustrated as Yixing felt. There were traffic noises coming from the other side of the line and Yixing figured the other must be driving. “God dammit Yixing I-” his sentence was cut short and swear words littered the entire conversation and rapid fire Mandarin coloured the conversation for a good few seconds before he came back. “I’m sorry about that.”
“You’re driving, aren’t you?” Yixing couldn’t help the fond smile that stretched over his features.
“Yeah…”
“Is the road busy?”
“Not so much. But you know how the French drive.” a small chuckle sounded through the speaker. Yeah, Yixing knew how the French drove, having almost become flattened by cars more times than he cared to count.
“You’re in France?” Yixing hated how hopeful he sounded, because despite he was angry with Yifan, he remained hopeful that he would come back.
“We just got out of Paris,” Yifan revealed. “I hate to drive there, it’s absolutely horrific.” to underline his statement someone honked in the distance and Yifan sputtered curses left and right. Yixing smiled, because he remembered Paris from a few years ago. It had been busy, rather anonymous and business had been good. But it had also been unfathomably lonely despite the constant flow of people. So when the northern wind had rattled his windows, he had packed and left for other cities.
“Zitao will have a potty mouth listening to you.” he warned with no malice in his voice. Yifan snorted.
“I’ll make sure I make a proper boy out of him. And his mother will have him skinned if he says anything of the kind in her presence.” there was a sense of pride in Yifan’s voice. Silence fills the conversation for a while and Yixing listened to the sounds coming from Yifan’s car.
“Where are you heading?” Yixing dared after maybe a minute. The soft inhale-exhale on the other side sounded like hesitation in Yixing’s ears.
“I don’t know.”
“Bullshit,” Yixing blurted. “I’m sorry, that was uncalled for, I-”
“Yixing- I-” Yifan let out another frustrated sigh, followed by loaded silence.
“What?”
“I’m fucking terrified ok?” Yifan confessed. “It was a dick move from me to just up and leave, but I was fucking terrified after you left camp last summer and I panicked.”
Yixing sighed softly and wished they were having this conversation face to face so he could read Yifan’s facial expressions, maybe reassure him with a touch to his shoulder.
“It’s ok to be scared, Yifan.” he tried softly. “I just wished you would’ve told me.”
“I know. And I’m sorry.”
“Boxian misses you. And Zitao. And Ace.”
“Zitao’s been crying over this too. He also misses his favourite chocolates.”
“I miss the boy too. He was such a good customer.” Yixing smiled and got up from the steps he was sitting on. He got inside the shop, locked the front door and shut all lights on the way up to the apartment. Yixing could hear Boxian was still splashing around in the bathroom and allowed the boy to wage a water war this time, despite it was a chore to clean up afterwards.
“Hey, Yixing?” Yifan spoke after a beat of silence.
“Yeah?”
“Are you still up for figuring out my favourite?”
Yixing’s breath hitched and his emotions were a mess of happy curiosity and relief. He clutched his phone tightly against his ear as a dimpling smile stretched across his face.
“I’m still mad at you, but…” Yixing sighed, followed by an amused chuckle. “But most definitely.”
END.
AN: I have no idea why I tackled this challenge, but I suppose I’m actually glad I did, because I love the film and I love the pairing, as well as chocolate. Also, there’s never enough OTP.
Whoever threw the prompt, thank you, sorry and I hope this has lived up to your expectations! I’ve made some conscious decisions and edits regarding the fic. You’ve probably noticed it isn’t a word for word transcript, but rather an adaptation and only a few segments of the film, yet I’ve aimed to keep it as true as possible to the original storyline, while still making this fic my own. I figured a single dad in the 60’s wouldn’t have been as special as a single mother, so I chose to make this a contemporary story instead.
Many already noticed the presence of Beagle line, but with their Chinese names. I thought it’d be a good idea to make them all “Chinese”. OP wanted either baby Baekhyun or baby Tao, and I chose Baekhyun to be Yixing’s son, for some reason… Don’t ask lol.
I want to offer special thanks for a group of friends for helping this fic happen. To my roomie for occasionally patting my back and helping me elaborate the story where it was lacking.
Thanks to my beta and twinny, for reading this through and correcting my grammar and spelling when I was lacking.
Finally, to my tlist for listening me cry over wth I’m doing.