Alpha's Desire [YiZhan]

24th Chapter

24th Chapter

The sky was melting into dusk—soft indigo swallowing the last amber blush of daylight—as a gentle breeze rustled the leaves in the garden behind the house. String lights lazily flickered overhead, casting a golden glow against the creeping shadows. Fireflies danced like sparks of magic near the hedges, as if nature itself was celebrating something too sacred for loud fanfare.

Yibo sat on the patio bench, a blanket draped across his shoulders, a can of cold beer in hand. His eyes were glassy—not from alcohol, but from the weight of anticipation. Tomorrow, he would say vows not just with his voice, but with every beat of a heart that had broken and healed and learned to love again.

“Someone looks like he’s about to cry,” a voice came from behind him.

Yibo turned his head just in time to see Haikuan walking over, two bottles of soju in hand. He plopped down beside Yibo with a low grunt, offering one bottle with a smirk.

Yibo took it with a shake of his head. “Aren’t you too old for this?”

Haikuan immediately grimaced with what he said while he laughed with his older brother's reaction.

“I’m not the one getting married tomorrow,” Haikuan shot back, already popping the cap. “You’re the emotional one.”

Yibo chuckled and raised the bottle in a mock salute. “Fair enough.”

They clinked, drank, and fell into a familiar, comfortable silence—the kind only siblings could share without it being awkward.

“Tomorrow, huh?” Haikuan finally broke the quiet, resting his arm on the backrest behind Yibo. “You’re finally getting tied down.”

Yibo let out a soft laugh, eyes still fixed on the night sky. “With Zhan? I’m more than willing, ge. You know that.”

Shaking his head, he knows what his little brother been through. And as his older brother, he's just so proud of him and Zhan.

Haikuan didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he looked at his younger brother, really looked—his features illuminated by soft light and sincerity, his eyes deep wells of reflection.

“I saw everything, you know,” Haikuan said, voice a little rough around the edges now. “All of it. From day one.”

Yibo turned, confused. “Saw what?”

“You and him,” Haikuan answered, nodding slowly. “The pain. The sleepless nights. The stupid fights. The silence that hurt more than anything either of you could’ve said. But also the way you clung to him in your sleep. The way he looked for you in a room even when you weren’t there. And the first time he smiled again—really smiled—when you walked through the door.”

Yibo swallowed, his throat tight.

“I saw you both lose each other,” Haikuan went on quietly, “and I saw you claw your way back. That’s not just love, Yibo. That’s a choice. A choice to stay. To rebuild. And damn, am I proud of you.”

Haikuan has really a soft spot for him. Honestly, without his support? Maybe... just maybe he did not survive. Yibo's life was never simple in the first place.

Life fucked him hard and he couldn't fuck back.

The beer in Yibo’s hand grew warm as silence settled again. Then, a hand suddenly landed on his head, ruffling his hair.

“Stop—ge!” Yibo yelped, glaring and swatting Haikuan’s arm. “I’m not a kid anymore!” He hissed.

“You’ll always be my little brother,” Haikuan said with a smug grin. “Even if you’ve got two sons now who think you are the cool grown-up.”

Yibo rolled his eyes, cheeks flushed. “Yuan thinks a plastic spoon is magic. Let’s not use him as a measure of coolness.”

They both burst into laughter.

But when it faded, Yibo’s voice turned soft. “Thank you, ge. For being there. For taking care of Zhan when I… couldn’t. For protecting him, and loving him like family. For not giving up on either of us.” He sincerely said.

Because he is, he is sincere, and he will be forever thankful and grateful for Haikuan as his older brother.

“You don’t have to thank me,” Haikuan replied, his own gaze softening. “Zhan’s special. I knew from the beginning. And seeing you with him now? It makes all the chaos worth it.”

Yibo hesitated, then added, “I know I’m not… the best at saying things. I bottle stuff up. I don’t always talk about what I feel. But you matter to me, ge. You always have.”

Haikuan looked at him, quiet for a long time.

Then he gently bumped their shoulders together. “I know. And I’ll always be here. For you. For Zhan. For those chaos gremlins you call sons.”

Yibo grinned. “They are gremlins, huh?”

“The cute and worst kind. But also the best.”

Eventually, the night grew colder, and they stood up from the bench. Haikuan slung an arm around Yibo’s shoulder briefly as they walked toward the house. At the door, Haikuan clapped his shoulder once before disappearing down the hallway toward the guestroom.

Yibo quietly pushed open the door to the master bedroom.

The scene inside was bathed in silence and moonlight.

Zhan lay in bed, facing the twins' shared crib, one hand tucked beneath his cheek. His hair was mussed from sleep, soft strands curled near his forehead. Beside the crib, Yuan and Yuri slept soundly—Yuri with one sock off and Yuan hugging a stuffed bunny to his chest.

Yibo’s heart melted instantly.

He padded into the ensuite bathroom for a quick shower, trying not to wake anyone. By the time he emerged—the towel drying his hair, dressed in fresh pajamas—Zhan was stirring.

Zhan rubbed his eyes groggily and blinked at him. “Hey… How’s your talk with Haikuan?”

Yibo smiled as he dropped onto the bed beside him, pulling the blanket over their legs. “It was good. Ge’s in the guest room now.”

Zhan yawned as he snuggled closer, his voice slurred with sleep. “That’s good.”

Yibo wrapped an arm around him, feeling Zhan melt into him instantly like he belonged there—because he did. Every inch, every breath.

Zhan was asleep within seconds again, light snores puffing against his chest.

Yibo watched him, heart aching in the best way.

He reached up, brushing his fingers along Zhan’s cheekbone. “I love you, Zhan,” he whispered, so low it was almost a thought. “So much.”

He pressed a kiss to Zhan’s forehead, then to his lips—gentle, reverent, like sealing a promise in the stars.

As he lay back and closed his eyes, the twins shifted in their crib, one of them murmuring unintelligibly in a dream. Zhan breathed out softly against his shoulder.

And in the quiet, Yibo realized something:

This was peace. Not the absence of chaos or mistakes, but the presence of love, and the unspoken assurance that they would continue choosing each other, again and again.

And tomorrow, the world will witness that vow made real.

—

Just a few more steps and we are closing to the end! I can't believe that I'm about to finish this story of mine, while in fact, I already forgot how to write stories, LOL.

Anyway, have a great weekend ahead, y'all! xoxo.

peace.

☽☾