Hidden Desires (YiZhan)

Chapter 4

Zhan hesitated outside the club, the thumping bass from inside vibrating through the ground and into his chest.

Yibo stood beside him, his expression unreadable, but his hand was firm around Zhan’s wrist, almost like he was afraid Zhan might slip away if he let go. Zhan had been nervous since Yibo had brought up the idea of coming here, but he had eventually agreed, driven by a mix of curiosity and the growing bond between them.

Yet, now that they were standing in front of the imposing building, he wasn’t so sure anymore.“Come on,” Yibo urged, his voice barely audible over the music.

“It’s just a club. We’ll have fun.”Zhan nodded, forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. He wanted to trust Yibo, to believe that tonight would be just another step in the strange, twisted relationship they were building.

But deep down, he couldn’t shake the feeling that he didn’t belong here.The moment they stepped inside, the noise and heat enveloped them. The flashing lights painted everything in shades of neon, and the crowd pulsed with energy.

Yibo led the way through the sea of bodies, his hand never leaving Zhan’s. Zhan clung to that touch, grounding himself as they moved deeper into the club.They finally reached a private booth where a group of Yibo’s friends were already gathered.

As they approached, the conversations quieted, and several pairs of eyes turned to Zhan. He suddenly felt exposed under their scrutiny, the weight of their gazes making his skin crawl.

He was hyper-aware of how out of place he looked among them, dressed simply compared to their designer clothes.One of the girls leaned over, whispering something into her friend’s ear, and they both giggled, casting sidelong glances at Zhan. A guy, tall with sharp features, smirked as he looked Zhan up and down.

“Yibo, where’d you pick up this stray?” he sneered, the mockery clear in his voice.Zhan’s face burned with shame, his throat tightening as he looked down at the floor.

He could feel their disdain, like a physical force pressing down on him, squeezing the air from his lungs. Every instinct told him to run, to escape this place where he didn’t belong, but Yibo’s presence beside him kept him rooted in place.

Yibo’s grip on his hand tightened, and he shot a glare at the guy who had spoken. “Shut up, Jiahao,” Yibo snapped, his voice cold. “He’s with me.”But the damage was done. Zhan’s heart pounded in his chest, the humiliation wrapping around him like a suffocating blanket. He tried to focus on Yibo, on the fact that Yibo had stood up for him, but it did little to ease the sting of their words.They sat down in the booth, and Yibo ordered drinks for the both of them.

Zhan tried to relax, but he couldn’t shake the tension coiling in his stomach. He sipped his drink, hoping the alcohol would calm his nerves, but it only made him feel more lightheaded, more vulnerable.

The night dragged on, the atmosphere becoming increasingly oppressive. Yibo’s friends continued to make snide remarks, their voices dripping with condescension. Zhan could see the way Yibo was becoming more and more frustrated, but he didn’t do much to stop them.

The alcohol in his system dulled the edges of his discomfort, but it also made him more susceptible to the harsh words being thrown his way.At some point, Zhan realized he was drinking too much, the world around him blurring slightly at the edges. He barely noticed when Yibo leaned in close, his breath hot against Zhan’s ear.“Let’s get out of here,” Yibo murmured, his voice low and insistent.

Zhan nodded, relieved to leave the suffocating atmosphere of the club behind. He let Yibo lead him out, stumbling slightly as they made their way to the exit. The cool night air was a shock to his system, momentarily clearing his foggy mind.
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What do y'all think? I'm also uploading chapter 5 in a few mins
-yizhan_BJYX