Speak Up!

THIRTY-SIX-

Hanyu slammed his locker shut, eyes sneaking a peak at the locker a few rows from his. Tills.

His mind brought him back to just a month ago, kissing Zihao in that horrible place, and doing so because he had kissed Tills.

Deep down he knew he really had wanted to kiss the boy, but Tills was his excuse.

Hanyu occasionally saw Zihao around school, dark express still on his face like always.

Hanyu still saw Shuyang there on the regular, considering they had the same homeroom. He was joyful now, not so closed off. Hanyu could spit at the thought of someone being happy  about dead people.

Hanyu just shrugged and walked to his last class of the day.

Shut was already sitting at the back of the class with his nose in a book.

Hanyu sat down at his usual desk and settled himself in. He had a lot of homework today, most of it being from his calculus class.

Hanyu ran his hands over his desk, feeling the smooth, cool surface. His eyes darted to his side as his hands touched a foreign texture. A small slip of paper, almost the same color as the desk, had been taped to the top.

Hanyu peeled the paper off of the surface and read the words on the back.

"Hanyu, meet me at the pool shed."

Hanyu looked over the handwritting, he didn't recognize it.

——-

After the boring study period was over, Hanyu collected his things and made his way towards the pool shed, heart beating like a drum.

His shoes slid against the cool, wet ground. The November chill nipped at his thinly covered shoulders. Hanyu's nose blushed red as he walked against the weighted wind. The pool shed was in his view, and just as soon, so was a tall, warmly dressed Li Zihao.

Hanyu couldn't hide his relieved smile. He was hoping he'd get a chance to talk to the younger.

"Hi-"
"Hi-"
They both said in unison, looking down in a shy daze.

Zihao cleared his throat as he kicked around the dirt beneath him.

Hanyu stayed quiet, shivering a bit in the cold.

"You're cold?" Zihao asked, sounding more like a statement.

Hanyu just nodded.

Zihao shed his heavy jacket and hug it over the older's shoulders.

"You know, I met Tills here almost every after school." Zihao finally said, biting his lip.

"And I'd buy her lunch all the time too. She never bright anything to school." Zihao confessed, wiping his mouth with a shaky hand.

Hanyu just nodded.

"I, I met everyone she told me to avoid." Hanyu chuckled dryly.

"Do you regret meeting them?" Zihao asked, getting close to the shorter.

Hanyu just nodded, jumbling his hands together.

The bright fall colors wrapped around their heads as the wind whipped the leaves off of the dying trees.

"1262 was her auction number, she gave me $12.62." Zihao said aloud.

"Oh really?" Hanyu asked, uninterested as all the memories flooded back from the events.

Zihao nodded.

"That's enough for two cookie sandwiches from Leigh's Bakery in town square." Zihao nudged Hanyu's shoulder, a trying smile on his face. Hanyu let out a low chuckle.

"Do you want to go get  a cookie sandwich with me?" Zihao asked, leaning to see Hanyu's expression.

Hanyu nodded.
"Yeah. Yeah I'd love that."

The two walked towards the town square, pinky's wrapped together.

The boys had small smiles on their faces as they passed 1262, a small Antique clock shop.
Hanyu gripped the locket he wore everyday now.

The windows were fogged on the upper level. A plethora of heat emanating from inside.

Xinlong straddled the older's lap, hands resting on his chest.
"You're pretty Xinlong." Chris said sincerely, eyes going between the younger's eyes and lips.

"Kiss me Chris Bang." Xinlong whispered in the older's ear.

The two smiled as Chan gently held the nape of the brunette's neck, pressing a kiss to his lips.
It was soft and sweet, a real love between them.

"Thank you Long, for loving me, even after everything that happened." Chan said, a husk present in his voice.

"No matter what, I will always love you." Xinlong said, kissing Chan again and falling to his side, letting himself be held and loved.

A loud knock rang through the house, shaking the couple from their haze. Chan got up from the bed and Long followed him down the stairs, staying as hidden as he could.

Chan opened the door, his eyes widening at the sight of Changbin standing there, dressed in civilian clothing, a smile of his face.

Chan didn't have a weapon, so he braced himself.

"Hi Chris." The shorter smiled, looking into the older's eyes for any sign of fear.

"Hey." Chris said dryly.

"I'm, I'm just here to relay the news. REN HQ is under new command." He said as a wave of shock took over BangChan.

"What! Since when?" Chan expressed.

"After you left with the kids, Shuyang, the boss's son, slit the old man's throat. Shuyang's in charge now, so..." Changbin searched his back pocket, pulling out a Jade.

"This is for you. Kid said it wasn't fair and you deserved it. Also, nobody is allowed to bother you in the field, even if you lose it." The shorter said with a sweet smile.

Chan took the Jade and gripped it tight to his chest. He felt like falling over.

"Thank you Changbin, thank you so much." He heaved a grateful gasp.

Xinlong watched in pure bliss as his fears melted away. No one would try and take him away from BangChan again.

"Also, ZeYu and his boyfriend, we brought them back here. Buried them together on FrogCroak." The younger said grimly, hand landing on Chan's shoulder.

"Thank you." Chan said as the younger took his leave.

Xinlong came up behind his boyfriend and hugged him softly.

"We should go see them." Long said.
Chan nodded.

The older turned around to face the boy. He kissed him slowly but sweetly, clasping the Jade necklace around Xinlong's neck at the same time.

Xinlong caressed the jewel in his hand, observing it closely.

"Why did you put it on me?"

Chan only gave the boy an adoring look, absolutely in love with the younger.

"Keep you safe. You'll always be safe with it." Chan smiled, kissing the boy once again, hoisting him into his arms and carrying him back up the stairs.

The END