Ode to Joy || Yizhan

Joy 3, running hand in hand.

When they parted ways. Yibo adopted his usual cold and stern demeanor again, returning home without Xiao Zhan. He already felt a little bit nostalgic, the connection between Xiao Zhan and him more than palpable, the two of them already adept to tease each other jokingly and fight a little, making fun of each other. As a matter of fact, Yibo finds himself wanting to see the journalist only after five minutes of separation. He wants to see him. Right now.

But he couldn't act selfishly. He had to behave professionally like Xiao Zhan did. He needed to have in mind that the enchanting man was only here for work and would be disappearing in a few days, leaving his report-testimony about Yibo's personality and life behind him and that's it. Yibo felt his stomach churns thinking about it, imagining a bad review about him after putting his entire trust in Xiao Zhan already. Yes already.

Yibo reflects on himself and think that he lets himself entranced by the man too easily. But what can he say, affection toward people can't control itself. Nevertheless, the affection Yibo is feeling for Xiao Zhan after one day of getting to know each other is far more significant than he ever thought it would ever be to anyone.

The only thing that can appease Yibo's distress right now is the idea of a future meeting they have planned tomorrow. Yibo feels great about it, they're going to a nice garden this time. Walking together. In a peaceful place. Xiao Zhan proposed it and Yibo could only actively nod at this, being utterly delighted at everything Xiao Zhan desires to do with him.

*

They meet again.

The sky is shining brightly, high in the sky when their gaze cross for the first time today. Xiao Zhan's brown eyes shine beautifully, sun rays traversing his irises. It is beyond stunning.

Yibo wears a big grin on his face, and he really doesn't want to hide it this time. He says between his smiles.

"Come here Zhan-ge, what are you waiting for. Greet your didi", he smirks, now completely comfortable in front of Xiao Zhan.

Xiao Zhan seems to be a little surprised at the name and stumble a little when walking toward Yibo. He smiles. Wide. Nonetheless.

"I see you're in a good mood today, it's great", Xiao Zhan says in a giggle.

"Must be the weather", Yibo says keeping his obvious cheeky grin.

"Haha yeah that must be."

"Or maybe it is because I get to see you", Yibo continues and whispers, eyes shoved directly into Xiao Zhan's ones.

Oh.

Shit.

He said that out loud.

Xiao Zhan blushes.

Yibo blushes.

"Hum. Anyway, it's good to see you Zhan-ge!" Yibo greets Xiao Zhan with a big slap on his arms in a teasing way, thinking that's a good thing to soften the tense atmosphere, now deeply installed between them and because they were on it yesterday, getting all close and fighting jokingly with each other. Yibo hopes that this greeting resembles like one most male friend do to greet each other.

Xiao Zhan stares at him as he did so and says nothing.

But they eventually proceed to get their shit together and walk inside the temple's garden. It is very agreeable to take a walk this afternoon. The weather is perfect, sunny but also a little bit windy. They walk past the trees for more than two hours, talking about their families, laughing at some jokes. The tense atmosphere having vanished a long time ago. Really.