"Wang Tao!"
The Celestial turned his head to spot his senior approaching him. Pausing, he waited for the other to catch up.
"Senior Yang."
"Junior Wang."
A smile crossed Yang Ning face as he walked beside the boy. As they moved through the hallways, he spoke.
"I've been a bit busy lately so we haven't had time to talk, I apologize."
"Mm."
"...So, are you going to disclose what's happening or not?"
Wang Tao just looked at him. A helpless look crossed the Emperor's face at the other's silence.
[ Quiet as always. Did he really change? ]
An awkward moment passed before the golden haired boy attempted to initiate a conversation once more.
"I heard you were gone for quite a while. Were those human worlds so interesting?"
"...Yeah."
Yang Ning clasped his hands behind his back as he scoured for more questions and a way to evoke a bigger reaction from the Celestial.
"Is that Zion the reason?"
"Zhou Jian."
"Mm?"
"His name is Zhou Jian."
A glint appeared in the golden eyes. The Emperor of the Sun carefully observed his fellow Wang Tao.
[ He spoke so much…There must be something special about that Zion. ]
From the side of his eye, Yang Ning noticed the purple-eyed boy approaching. An idea struck him and he smirked slightly. As Zhou Jian drew near, the senior turned towards the silent Emperor, picking up on the small smile on Wang Tao's face.
"I'll get going now. We'll talk later, yes?"
Wang Tao stopped his nod midway as his body moved to shrink back. He hurriedly removed his pale hands from his senior's. Yang Ning, who had just kissed Wang Tao's hand lightly, naturally dropped his hand to his side in a nonchalant manner.
Before the Celestial could speak, Zhou Jian took his hand and pulled Wang Tao towards him. Zhou Jian had a frown on his face as he watched the smiling golden eyes. The sour feeling settled mostly once Wang Tao was no longer in range of the other. After wiping the younger boy's hands, he looked back at their senior.
"Senior Yang, I understand that the two of you had met previously but from my knowledge, you and A Tao aren't very close. I would assume that this is the reason why you touched him despite his discomfort towards those actions. Please refrain from doing so on later occasions."
Yang Ning expressed his surprise once hearing this. Politely he apologized, his eyes glancing at the pairs' clasped hands.
"My apologies. I didn't know that was the case with Junior Wang, you know, because of how intimate you two were."
Zhou Jian smiled at the other's statement. A sliver of pride in the purple eyes was caught by the Sun Emperor as Zhou Jian responded.
"Well that would be a different situation. A Tao and I are very close so of course the discomfort doesn't apply with me, however that is not the case with strangers. Now if you'll excuse us."
Flashing a bright smile, the older boy led his friend away. Yang Ning stood there in thought before walking to his class.
[ Then I'll just become close to him too, maybe even closer than you. ]
.
.
.
Wang Tao sat on the bleachers carefully observing the people before. The squeaks of shoes on the court echoed in the gym as boys and girls ran around.
Spectators murmured and cheered as baskets were scored. A whistle blew signaling a time out and the players returned to their bench.
The silver eyes were glued to a tall figure, following the droplets of sweat which rolled down the youth's tout muscle. The pink tongue licked his dry lips as he stared at the 6 pack revealed once his friend lifted his shirt.
Zhou Jian raised his head and searched for his friend. Spotting the younger boy, he smiled before turning to listen to his coach. The thumping heart sounded in his chest as Wang Tao folded his legs uncomfortably.
The Celestial was really regretting his words. When his head eunuch was explaining the sexual attraction, the Emperor should have probed for more information.
Now he was stuck clueless with what to do with his desires. Wang Tao was pent up enough to get turned on by just glimpses of the other's body.
The Celestial feared that something was really wrong with him. Inhaling deeply, Wang Tao controlled himself and paid attention to the game which was continuing.
A big smile crossed his face as he watched his friend dominate the court proudly. Wang Tao suddenly had the urge to try the sport out.
Someone approached the young boy while he observed the game. The silver eyes glanced over and he scooted over a bit.
Smiling Yang Ning sat down beside him. After staring at the other a bit he spoke up,
"You two are very close, why so?"
Met with silence, the golden haired boy was unperturbed. He threw out questions softly, not caring whether the other answered. Yang Ning knew the other would at least make a grunt in agreement or disagreement out of some respect for his senior.
"Was your time in those worlds enjoyable?"
"Mm."
"How many worlds did you visit?"
"5."
"Were they difficult?"
"No."
"Who did you meet?"
"Some."
"What were your relationships with them?"
"...I was jealous...then had a brother, parents and a son."
The golden eyes widened slightly as he noticed how the cold expression gradually shifted to one full of warmth. Yang Ning was even more shocked by the answers.
[ Brother? Parents? Son? Celestials can't have children…Who would someone like him consider as parents or a brother? And why would he ever feel jealous of someone? ]
Disguising his emotions, the Sun Emperor looked curiously at Wang Tao who had been staring at the court the entire time.
"Who were you jealous of?"
Yang Ning asked this because it was the most vague of the answers. He had an inkling that it would somewhat reveal the most unbelievable one, the son.
"...His lover."
"His?"
"A Jian."
That was it. Yang Ning knew something was off. No wonder the other changed so much. No wonder he was so much more emotional. So much cuter. More docile. Less unapproachable.
He was in love. That had to be it. Why else would he be jealous of his friend's lover when he was a Celestial Emperor with almost everything to exist.
The one question left was how. How did that Zion manage to get the other to fall for him when the man's attention was elsewhere? And was the son from that Zion and his lover?
Pausing his swirling thoughts, he probed further.
"You're jealous of his lover? Are you in love with him?"
Wang Tao didn't answer this time but simply nodded. Hearing this, the senior intended to question more.
Unfortunately, the game was over with their team, called Voids, wining. The Celestial jumped to his feet and ran down the bleachers towards Zhou Jian.
Yang Ning was slow to react before he noticed the other congratulating his friend with a smile. Zhou Jian's eyes softened as he rubbed the silver head gently.
A frown crossed the Emperor's face and suspicion rose in his heart.
[ Something seems off. Doesn't Zhou Juan have a lover? So why does it seem like-]
Millions of thoughts circled in his mind as Yang Ning stood but he cut them off. Staring for a few more seconds, he removed his gaze from the two intimate friends and left, confusion wrecking his heart.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
A few days later, the pair could be seen eating their lunch underneath the Wisteria tree. As he munched on a sandwich, Wang Tao peeked up at Zhou Jian. A moment later, he cleared his throat and inquired.
"A Jian?"
"Mm."
"You're good at basketball right? So could you teach me?"
"You're interested in sports?"
The Celestial nodded in confirmation. Seeing this, Zhou Jian smiled lightly and agreed. The next day he took Wang Tao to a basketball court after school. Both were dressed in black tank tops and white shorts with sneakers.
"A Tao, how much do you know about basketball?"
"Positions and rules."
"Mm, you know enough."
Zhou Jian stared closely at his friend for a few moments, inspecting him. After a few seconds, he nodded to himself.
"Okay, I'm going to teach you the most basic thing you need to know in basketball, dribbling."
"When you bounce the ball with your hand?"
Letting out a sound in affirmation, the older boy gave a demonstration before asking his friend to try.
"Don't slam the ball, push it down lightly and in a way you should…caress it…like this."
The Celestial nodded before taking the ball. Following the instruction, he attempted to dribble. It wasn't very good at first but after a few more tries he got the hang of it.
The Zion drilled him on dribbling for a while, ensuring that he could dribble with both hands and even switch. Completing that part of the training the two moved on to shooting.
Zhou Jian handed his friend the ball and asked him to raise it above his head. Standing behind Wang Tao, he guided the pale hands into a shooting position.
"Since you're right handed, put your left hand on the side and your right hander. The left hand is to keep the ball in check. It shouldn't move when you shoot. Did you get that?"
"Mm."
Wang Tao was really paying attention but at this point it was a bit difficult. The other's warm body was so close to him as if it was encasing his whole body in warmth. Zhou Jian's deep voice resounding near his ear was like a devil's whisper, enchanting his body and enticing him to follow on the dark side. A fire burnt within and he suddenly felt a strong thirst overcome him.
"A Tao, are you alright?"
"N-no I'm fine, I just need a break."
His brows furrowed a bit but Zhou Jian agreed to a break. After Wang Tao cursed himself inwardly for his reaction and calmed down, the two continued with shooting. He tried multiple times to ensure that he wouldn't accidentally move the left hand.
Then he attempted a few more times to score baskets. It was a fun experience, encouraging the Celestial to pursue the sport. At least three days a week after school, Wang Tao would come to this court and practice.