"Let's go to the bedroom."
Xiao Zhan's breath stopped.
Completely.
His body tensed—not with fear—
But with disbelief.
Yibo swallowed.
Then, softer.
Clearer.
"I… I want to be with you."
Zhan's hands tightened instinctively around Yibo's back.
"…Yibo," he breathed, voice rough.
Yibo hesitated for just a second.
Then whispered again.
This time—
He used his name.
"Zhan."
The sound of it—
Not Professor.
Not distance.
Not restraint.
Just—
Zhan.
Something in Xiao Zhan broke open.
Not violently.
Quietly.
Like a door finally unlocked.
His eyes darkened.
His chest rose sharply.
"…Say that again," he murmured.
Yibo's lips curved slightly.
Nervous. Brave.
"Zhan," he repeated.
Xiao Zhan closed his eyes.
For a heartbeat, he looked overwhelmed.
Not by desire—
But by trust.
He pulled back just enough to look at Yibo.
Really look.
Searched his face.
His eyes.
His breath.
"You're sure?" Zhan asked.
Low. Serious.
"No pressure. No past. No guilt."
Yibo nodded.
Firm.
"I choose you," he said softly.
"Now."
That was all Xiao Zhan needed.
He cupped Yibo's face gently.
Reverently.
As if this moment mattered more than anything else.
"Then we go slowly," Zhan whispered.
"Together."
He stood, keeping Yibo close.
Their foreheads touched one last time.
Breaths syncing.
No rush.
No hunger leading.
Just two people walking forward—
With consent.
With history.
With love.
Hand in hand—
They turned toward the hallway.
And the door closed softly behind them.
That Night
The night stretched longer than either of them expected.
Not gentle.
Not careful.
Raw.
For Yibo, the shock wasn't fear.
It was realization.
Xiao Zhan—
controlled all his life, restrained for years—
had finally let go.
And when he did—
He was overwhelming.
Strong.
Demanding.
Desperate in a way Yibo hadn't imagined.
Each thrust is deep and harder, harder than before.
Insane kisses, longer and too much deeply.
Time blurred.
The world narrowed to breath, heat, closeness.
Too much.
Too intense.
When it finally slowed—
Yibo was trembling.
Not weak.
Just spent.
He lifted his hand with effort.
Cupped Xiao Zhan's face gently.
Thumb brushing along his cheek.
Grounding him.
"Zhan," Yibo whispered softly, voice tired but warm,
"it's okay."
Xiao Zhan stilled immediately.
All that intensity vanished.
Concern rushed in.
"…Did I hurt you?"
Yibo shook his head.
"No," he said honestly.
"You're just… still too strong."
He smiled faintly.
"We can continue another time."
Xiao Zhan leaned down, forehead touching Yibo's.
Breathing uneven.
Eyes dark—not with hunger now—
With need.
"Just one more round," Zhan whispered.
Not demanding.
Pleading.
"…Please, Yibo."
Yibo searched his face.
Saw it clearly.
Not desire alone—
Fear.
Fear that this moment might disappear.
That Yibo might regret choosing him.
Yibo's heart softened completely.
He pulled Zhan closer again.
Pressed a slow kiss to his lips.
Unrushed.
Grounding.
"Then stay with me," Yibo said quietly.
"But listen to me."
Xiao Zhan nodded immediately.
"Yes."
"But, I can't be gentle."
That was when Yibo understood something important.
Zhan wasn't rough because he wanted control.
He was rough because he was terrified of losing this.
Yibo wrapped his arms around him.
Held him close.
Anchored.
"Zhan," Yibo whispered again, softer this time,
"I'm not leaving."
Xiao Zhan's breath broke.
He buried his face into Yibo's shoulder.
Just held him.
And whatever came after—
It wasn't about intensity anymore.
It was about staying.
About two people who had waited too long
finally learning
how to slow down
together.
The room was still.
Only breathing uneven.
Sweaty smells.
Bed cracking beneath their pressure.
Yibo's moans and zhan's groans.
And their bodies wet claps.
Still urgency
But warmth settling into silence.
Aftermath.
Xiao Zhan lay close, one arm around Yibo like an anchor.
As if letting go would undo the world.
His voice came out low.
Unsteady.
Bare.
"Let's get married, Yibo."
Yibo stilled.
"I love you," Zhan continued, words tumbling out now, honest and afraid.
"And I don't want to be alone anymore."
He swallowed.
"I don't know what I'll become without you."
He tightened his hold slightly.
Not trapping.
Begging.
"Please," Zhan whispered,
"choose me."
Yibo didn't answer immediately.
He looked at him.
Really looked.
Then—
He smiled.
Soft. Small. Real.
He lifted his hand.
Rested it gently on Zhan's cheek.
Grounding him.
And whispered—
"You won't judge me for my looks ever?"
The question was quiet.
But it carried years.
Xiao Zhan's breath caught.
His eyes widened slightly.
Then—
They softened.
Completely.
He leaned forward and pressed his forehead to Yibo's.
Tears gathered but didn't fall.
"Never," Zhan said firmly.
"Not your face. Not your scars. Not anything."
He cupped Yibo's face carefully.
As if it were something precious.
"You're beautiful to me," he whispered.
"You always were. I was just too blind… and too cruel to see it."
His voice shook.
"I don't want to spend the rest of my life punishing myself."
He breathed in deeply.
"I want to spend it loving you."
Yibo's smile trembled.
His eyes shone.
"Then," Yibo whispered softly,
"I choose you."
Xiao Zhan closed his eyes.
Relief crashed over him.
He pulled Yibo into his chest—
Not desperate now.
Peaceful.
This time—
He wasn't alone.
And neither was Yibo.
They did get married.
No drama.
No grand spectacle.
Just vows spoken slowly, carefully—
as if both of them understood how fragile happiness could be.
Xiao Zhan held Yibo's hands the whole time.
Didn't let go even once.
Life after that was… quiet.
And beautiful because of it.
Their home filled with warmth instead of silence.
Morning light.
Shared tea.
Soft arguments about nothing important.
They had a son first.
Tall.
Serious eyes.
Strong even as a child.
Just like Zhan.
He was calm, observant, protective—
always standing slightly in front of his sister without realizing it.
Then came their daughter.
Yibo's mirror.
Innocent.
Bright-eyed.
Soft smiles that could melt anyone.
Beautiful without trying.
And stubborn.
Very stubborn.
She laughed easily.
Loved fiercely.
Believed in people the way Yibo always had.
Sometimes, when Zhan watched his children—
He would pause.
Heart full.
Eyes warm.
Yibo would notice.
Lean against him.
Smile.
"See?" Yibo would whisper.
"We're okay."
And Zhan would nod.
Every time.
Because the past no longer hurt.
It taught.
The man who once lived in regret
now lived in love.
The boy who once believed he was unworthy
now knew he was cherished.
They were happy.
Not loudly.
Not perfectly.
But truly.
And for them—
That was more than enough.
🤍
The End