His Secret 2 (ZhanYi FanFic) - Completed

21: It's Not the End

After another rough day, Zhan brought Yibo to where Mr. Lan rests.

The sound of silence, a hollow ring of quietude hung around the cemetery. It was voiceless, lifeless, with an abnormal sense of melancholy as its norm.

Each step, each movement, each breath Yibo took filled him with unease. The truth of his Father's passing seemed more real. Cold beads of sweat formed on his scalp and the bone chilling blue reminded him of his fear. Yibo was woefully mistaken that he was brave enough to face his Father and his death.

His vision wavered, a dizzy spell struck his brain even before he could open the door to the columbarium. His body swayed like a lone leaf with the subtle breeze. The truth was -- Yibo's guilt has never left. It sprawled back to the surface, digging its claws to his already shattered conscience.

"Yibo!" Zhan's piercing call and stable arms hooked around the younger. His grip was firm and secure. "It's alright. It's okay." He kept humming on Yibo's ear. "I'm here. You're not alone." He reminded his beloved and felt his heart go softer when he heard Yibo's repressed sob.

It is said that if something fall apart, something else better will come together. Maybe both just has had too much expectation for a short overnight transformation. In reality, Yibo still needs time. A heartache takes awhile; salvation comes later, Zhan reflected and thought.

The older was affected by Yibo's sadness too but he had dealt with it by being the sweetest and most compassionate lover Yibo could ever wish for.

The elder pecked Yibo's temple and mumbled against his skin, "Your Father adores you, Bobo. He wouldn't blame you. He loves you no matter what."

Zhan's sense of rationality and unyielding gentleness generated reassurance. He cuddled his prince in his embrace and stroked Yibo's back in a comforting stroke. This care, Zhan's love, overcomes any words given.

'I am not alone. Father loves me.' Yibo shut his eyes and silently soaked in that feeling of comfort and compassion offered to him willingly. He listened to Zhan's stable heartbeats, basked in his Gege's warmth and focused on the hands which tried hard to soothe his woes.

After minutes of idleness, Yibo stirred from Zhan's hug and rested his chin on Zhan's chest while looking on Zhan's clear almond eyes. "Gege..." His reddened round eyes accompanied the pout of his full lips, knocked Zhan's breath. "...hug me tighter!"

Zhan smiled amused and complied at the order of his muse. "I am hugging you tighter, Bo!" He was almost laughing when Yibo protruded his lips more and coquettishly asked, "Kiss me?" in such a cute manner, Zhan had no way to stop his heart for falling further.

He grabbed Yibo's both cheeks and connected their lips in a loud smack followed by a long and passionate kiss.

There were smiles on both lips as they put their foreheads together and breathed in the breaths they've lost while kissing. "Thank you, Gege." Yibo told him and Zhan had to kiss him once more to remind him that kisses are their gesture for that word instead.

"Better? Now, shall we?" Zhan held Yibo's hand and Yibo squeezed them while nodding his head. The younger is still bothered and uneasy, but with Zhan by his side, Yibo knew he can make it.

--------

As they came near Mr. Lan's tomb, a lady that Yibo recognised instantly was waiting for them.

Yibo did not even momentarily paused to consider or think, he just came running to her and wrapped himself around his mother. That was the tightest grip Mrs. Lan had ever felt.

It doesn't hurt less to know that her boy is alive and well whilst her husband is gone forever, but reality turned bearable. She was crying while Yibo sobbed unrestrainedly on her shoulders.

"I'm sorry Mother." Yibo looked up at her with reddened sad eyes.

Mrs. Lan's tears ran faster but instead of wiping her tears, she wiped Yibo's first. She had missed her little boy and she was pleased to see him. She was wrong to not come home for him. She shouldn't have been weak and left when Yibo needed her near.

Mrs. Lan grovelled at her selfishness. She knew she failed Yibo as his mother. But most, she felt that she had failed her husband more.

She cupped Yibo's face and caressed the soft cheeks. "No, Yibo. Mother was wrong. I should've been stronger and stayed with you. You weren't at fault, my little boy. Yours was an accident and so was your Father's." Noone is to be blamed. She looked at Yibo straight into those hazel eyes recalling her husbands same beautiful pale ones.

At that moment, both realised they needed the same thing: some love, some understanding, some hope and due healing. Of which they could get from each other.

The mother hugged her big baby again and Yibo let himself feel his Mother's caresses. Mrs. Lan is not a woman of many words, but she loves her child, their forever baby boy.

She promised to be by Yibo from then on. To be ever supportive, to be ever loving.

Her eyes twinkled as she lifted her eyes to Zhan's direction. 'Thank you.' She mouthed wordlessly at him and kissed her son's forehead.

Together, the mother and child, came to accept the sad reality of Mr. Lan's passing.

To be there, where he lies, was an important step for their grieving. It gave them a chance to say Hello and a chance to say goodbye. "It's not the end." Mrs. Lan whispered as she caressed her husband's name on the granite. Yibo joined her and put his arm over his mother's shoulder, pulling her near. "We will see you again, Father. I promise to look after Mother for you."

"Look how mature your son had become! You must be grinning proud up there!" Mrs. Lan wiped the last of her tear and beckoned Zhan to come near.

Zhan heeded her and stood besides Mrs. Lan. Yibo gave him a sweet toothy smile which did not escape Mrs. Lan's sight. She grabbed Yibo's hand and pulled Zhan's too. The two men looked at each other, blushing bare, before they looked at the knowing lady.

"Our Zhan-Zhan has taken great care of his Little Prince. I'm so thankful! Now..now..." she grinned at them. "...why don't you two tell me how are things going on between you two? Who confessed first? Where and when was the first kiss shared?"

"Mother!" Yibo screamed in horror. His whole face was burnt with shame at his mother's tactlessness.

"Why can't Mother know about the gossip whilst Youn get to see the fiery romance between my Baby and my future son-in-law first hand?!" Mrs. Lan fuelled.

"Mother!!!" Yibo gasped again and Mrs. Lan fell into a fit of laughter while Zhan pulled Yibo to his arms and hide the sulking reddish tomato on his broad chest while he, himself, just laughed along the Madame's teasing. "That Youn sure is a blabber mouth!" Yibo gritted, clinging onto Zhan like a big baby Koala.

---------

A/N:

27-Nov-2022