Wang Tao lay peacefully in the snowy garden. His figure was covered from sight by the snowfall as he was snuggled by a cold substance.
In his serene space, a shadow loomed over him. The Celestial calmly opened his silver eyes to stare questioningly into golden orbs.
A smile plastered onto Yang Ning's face as he sat down in the snow. He didn't bat an eyelash when the other scooted away and acted as if he hadn't realized.
"What is my underclassman doing today?"
"Relaxing."
"...You know you should speak more."
"I do."
"With the Zion?"
"Zhou Jian."
Yang Ning's lip bent slightly before turning back up. He repeated Zhou Jian's name to satisfy the boy. Supporting himself with his arms, the Sun Emperor leaned backwards as he observed Wang Tao closely.
"I've been thinking, who is that son you speak of?"
"..."
"Come on just tell me. You seem like you need to talk to someone."
"There's A Jian."
"You wouldn't need to talk if he'd been any help."
The golden haired boy poked a sore spot but he was just speaking facts. Wang Tao knew this so he went silent, his aura suddenly a bit sullen. Sitting up, Wang Tao pulled his legs to his chest, resting his head on them.
"You're right…I just don't want to be a burden after everything."
"After what?"
Seeing the other go mute, Yang Ning sighed. He thought hard before getting an idea.
"Here's what, if you tell me, you can ask me something personal as well."
Wang Tao raised a brow. He eyed the other suspiciously but couldn't find much fault. He fidgeted as he pondered it, unsure.
He did have a lot he needed to let out but it wasn't because the Zion couldn't help. It's more like Wang Tao didn't want the other to help.
Zhou Jian had assisted him with so many problems already and the Celestial felt that his friend had done enough. Besides, Zhou Jian had his own issues to deal with, how could he selfishly add more?
"Ok."
Yang Ning's face lit up hearing that. He was glad that the other wanted to reveal his troubles to him. This was the first step to getting the other all for himself.
"So?"
"Um, well…ahem…the son is Xiao Lan. That's what I call him but his name is Zhou Shuang."
"Zhou?"
"Yeah. A Jian's lover's son."
"Not also Zhou Jian's?"
"Sigh...I should probably explain from the start…"
From the first world to the last, each was told slowly. The Sun Emperor listened in shock and disbelief as well as interested while the Celestial slowly narrated his experiences. In minutes, Yang Ning had pieced together a picture of the events.
His heart slightly skipped in delight when he understood, though he also pitied Wang Tao. It was really unfortunate for the other to end up in such a situation.
Unrequited love was not ideal. Yang Ning inwardly shook his head, a bit regretful that he didn't try harder the other times, before all of this. Thinking of something, a smirk crossed his face for a moment.
Having let it out once again, Wang Tao found himself tearing up although he felt lighter, it wasn't by much though. Hastily, he wiped his face and suppressed the pain. A few sniffles sounded before he had composed himself once again.
"I'm not sure of what else to say than…pitiful, and stupid. You acted like a real idiot."
The Celestial knew but having it told to him made him more ashamed. The golden orbs lost their coldness after a moment as his senior comforted him.
"I understand though. Love is a mystery and it changes us."
Yang Ning hesitated before reaching out and lightly holding the fair hand. It didn't take long for it to be removed from his grip but the Emperor didn't mind.
The older boy smiled as he said a few kind words. He then decided to switch the topic, satisfied with what he'd learned. He didn't bother to remind the boy of his half of the promise.
"We've seen each other for many years but I still don't know that much about you…mm…maybe we should hang out more and talk?"
"Why would you want to?"
"To be friends of course."
The silver eyes looked at him blankly. Showing a whatever expression, the Celestial laid back down in the snow as he listened to the other ramble on about himself.
He made grunts in reply or gave short answers to the inquiries. The air around them was a bit awkward but bearable and soon became more comfortable. Wang Tao relaxed slightly as the time went by.
[ I have a first love, I had a brother, I had parents, I had a son and now…I might have a friend. Life really did get better since meeting A Jian yet…I still want more. I'm really greedy but I can't help it. I want his love, A Jian's love. I want it so badly that I can feel the craving deep in my soul and engraved into my bones…ha…I'm hopeless… ]
.
.
.
.
Swinging his bag over his shoulder, Wang Tao walked out of the class with Zhou Jian. As the two reached the gate, they spotted Yang Ning waiting for them.
"Underclassmen, how about you come with me somewhere? I'll treat you to food."
Wang Tao who was about to refuse hesitated and glanced at Zhou Jian. Sighing, the older boy nodded and he gently smiled at the excited Celestial thinking that Wang Tao was such a foodie.
Yang Ning smiled as he led them towards a small shop. Just as Wang Tao started looking for the food, Yang Ning grabbed the boy's hand and pulled him to a certain section. Before Wang Tao could even pull back, his mouth was stuffed with something.
It took a moment before the silver eyes lit up and he quietly munched on the sandwich.
Zhou Jian chuckled softly, seeing the frown when the Celestial finished. Quickly paying for a few things, Zhou Jian fed the other a bun. The golden haired boy stared at the two before taking something as well.
He pulled Wang Tao away once he was finished chewing and sat him down on a nearby table. The Zion also took a seat and the two boys place all the food they bought on the table. When he heard they were for him, Wang Tao thanked them and began gobbling down his snacks. A few moments passed before the boy paused as he looked up at the two.
"For you."
Wang Tao pushed a quite few towards Zhou Jian who gladly accepted, wiggling his brows at the Sun Emperor.
"Tch...Wang Tao, what about me?"
The Celestial blinked before studying his assortment of snacks. Pouting he reluctantly pushed one to the boy and mumbled,
"Because we're now friends."
As Yang Ning sat there speechless and hurt, the Zion struggled to stifle his daughter. He gazed at Wang Tao approvingly as he rubbed the silver hair. A proud smirk crossed Zhou Jian's face as he eyed their senior.
The Sun Emperor swore in his heart that he would get the other back for that. Hiding his dissatisfaction, he started a bit of small chat with the younger boy.
"Do you like sports?"
"Mm, they're fun."
"Are you interested in any other than basketball?"
The Celestial pondered for a moment before nodding his head. The Zion joined the conversation from time to time, but his main focus was on feeding Wang Tao. After a bit, the three were done and left. They chatted as they walked before separating.
Standing by the central park, Wang Tao sat on the bench star-gazing as Zhou Jian called their driver. Sitting beside him, Zhou Jian let the other lean on him.
"Are you enjoying this world?"
"Mm-hm. Very much. I always do when I'm with you."
Zhou Jian smiled brightly. His hand carefully played with the other's face idly. The silver eyes looked into his own and it was like time stopped for a moment. Slowly, his other hand took Wang Tao's and brought it to his lips. A soft touch was placed, like a feather tickling Wang Tao's heart.
A light blush surfaced as he watched the other treat him so gently. He opened his mouth to say something when a black car pulled up. The Celestial pouted slightly but still rose from his seat.
Once the two were in the car, Zhou Jian placed the other on his lap sideways. Silencing the other before he could speak, Zhou Jian rested the silver head on his chest. Sighing, Wang Tao relaxed and soon drifted off to sleep, listening to the other's beating heart.
____
Time passed by rapidly. Exams came and went, results arrived and school ended. The pair parted with Yang Ning and the three enjoyed their Christmas vacation. A month later, a new term began and the three returned to school.
.
.
"A Tao!"
A frown formed slightly on Wang Taos face. That was obviously not Zhou Jian calling him so who?
His question was answered the next moment when he looked back to see Yang Ning sprinting towards him. Once the boy skidded to a stop, a charming smile was flashed at the Celestial like always.
"Don't call me that."
"Aw, why not?"
Yang Ning didn't question further after being shot with a dark look. He knew that the other was like an agitated cat when it came to these things. The younger boy treasured every special bond the pair shared and was quite protective of them.
Even if he was stronger than the other, Yang Ning knew from experience how ferocious and difficult an opponent Wang Tao was. He definitely didn't want to go through the problem of being on the other's black list. That's why he always treaded carefully on these sensitive topics, although he was brave enough to prod.
"Okay, okay…How about Tao Tao."
"No, that's only for my parents."
The golden haired boy had the urge to point out that they were dead but knew that would be too far. He racked his brain and spun out a few more but they were all shut down. Wang Tao rolled his eyes at the ridiculous names.
"Just Wang Tao."
"But we're closer than that~"
He argued this but mumbled a fine right after. The Wang Tao's face brightened as he smiled lightly before continuing on his walk.
When his friend asked, Wang Tao simply said he was going to meet up with Zhou Jian. The golden haired Celestial eyes darkened but the younger one couldn't see from his angle.
"A Jian!"
The silver eyes shined like millions of stars gathered together as he rushed towards the boy. Zhou Jian steadied him as he gently smiled. As his hand ran through the silver hair, he looked over at the approaching senior and spat out.
"Hello, sunshine."
"Hello, doom cloud."
The Zion scoffed inwardly at the name as he exchanged a look with the senior. Sparks could almost be seen flying between them as frowns married their faces.
Ignoring his dissatisfaction, Zhou Jian looked back at Wang Tao. The Celestial's confused face was so adorable and the Zion couldn't help but smile.
Sitting on the ground, he placed Wang Tao in his lap, his chest against the other's back. A blush rose across Wang Tao's face as he couldn't help but sink into the embrace.
As the Celestial got comfortable, Zhou Jian threw a proud glance at the seething Emperor. Resting his chin on Wang Tao's shoulder, he tightened his arm around the slim waist as he naturally started a conversation.
"What are your plans for the vacation?"
"Might go abroad, you?"
"Mm, not sure yet. Where do you want to go A Tao?"
The younger boy shrugged, not knowing of much choices. He stated that he would let the older boy decided. Nodding, Zhou Jian thought it over a bit but was distracted when the Sun Emperor started another topic.
As they spoke, Yang Ning's eyes burned into the sneaky hand on the Celestial's hip as he hid his irritation from the oblivious boy. A while later, he left to run an errand, annoyed. However this just made him more determined than before to win Wang Tao over.