Rough

23. Reality

"Ain't he harsh." Zhao commenting after Shen telling him everything, that same night in their tense dinner. "Are you ok?"

"Surprisingly, yeah." Shen gaze is empty, though the hot soup steams covering his glasses, hides both his eyes. "Yun Lan. I think I want to continue my tour."

That is an unpredictable event of Shen Wei. Zhao who has been slurping the soup get stunned.

"Right." Zhao takes his drink. "So, what should we do after this?"

"I will continue my tour." He repeats.

"Cool. Yeah." Zhao looks flustered as no words he could utter in this situation.

"Sure you are okay?" Zhao talks again, putting his chopstick on the bowl.

Shen Wei stretches his neck a little, smiling to him.

"Zun is right. I cannot interfere with his life for more than this." He starts to talk. "Even I don't realise, the last time I play the piano in peace."

Zhao holds his hand for a while and continues gobbling his food enthusiastly.

***

Shen is preparing to perform once more. After a month of struggling with the preparation, three of them: Yunlan, Shen Wei and Xiao Xi, at last standing on the backstage.

It's tough. The marketing, the betrayed feeling of his fans, and the hardest: Shen's psychological state were the main problem after all. Shen was busy fixing his mind, Xiao Xi is taking care of the Marketing and Zhao going back and forth between them.

Zhao too, are contacting Ye Zun about this, and he's sure Zun has been doing everything he could to help even when Zhao himself not sure. Nonetheless, the stage once again shines. Shen's wearing a white suit, making him look like an angel with a neat hairstyle.

Xiao Xi still running around to take care of the little things. Until he comes again and nodding, it's time.

Zhao making a signal for a minute, just both of them. After Xiao Xi closes the door, Zhao takes Shen's neck to meet his lips. Lusty.

Shen stands there grabbing what he could reach.

"Would you like me to wait here or...?" Zhao whispers in his neck.

"No." Shen lift his face "Watch me"

Shen left without anything but a smile. A confident and strong one. Zhao knows he's good to go and watch his back until it's disappearing from his sight. He is a bit disappointed that he couldn't make Shen flustered at least a little. It's better to feel nervous with him than to be weighted with the show, though.

Xiao Xi takes Zhao to the best seats in the theatre, making sure he's comfortable before leaving to take care of the audience. Somewhere from afar, with glasses and a hat to cover his being, Ye Zun waits patiently for his brother come back.

Same as always, when they could see the pianist entering the stage, the sound gets muffled. Shen walks with an uplift in his face, like the very first meeting with Zhao. Unless this time Zhao knows, the smile is directed to him.

Everyone seems surprised when Shen walks closer to the piano and touching it with a glance of longing. He transferred feelings to his piano like a partner he once lost. He greets the audience in his bright world, like meeting an old friend.

***

"You know I am jealous." Zhao talks in the bed, naked.

Shen is sleeping beside him, under the blanket.

"Of what?" Shen could feel the twitch in his body when Zhao touches his shoulder with his mere finger.

"Of the piano." He kisses Shen's shoulder now.

The concert was a success. It ends with a full 2 minutes standing ovation, Zhao could see a billion flash at him even after Shen gets down from the stage. All the people in there seem really eager to take proof of the changing ice cold prince, to the soft and gentle, well - still a frail- pianist.

After a short interview, Zhao brought him back. Not speaking a word but showing his intention to live the act, right after he locks his apartment door.

"You treat it like you miss it a lot. Like you don't want to be separated ever again with it." Zhao now sulking.

"Now now. Believe me, you don't want to see me missing you." Shen answers. "Just don't ever think to leave me alone"

"That sounds more like a threat." Zhao chuckles.

"It is. You never see me angry, correct?"

"I won't dare, my wife." Zhao hugs him tight. "But you know, I think Ye Zun left in the middle of your show."

"Are you trying to get us fights again?" Shen slaps Zhao finger soft.

"Well, I feel more content to avoid his glare every time he meets me."

"Just let me live here with you, so you won't" Shen blushes when he says that.

" Oh?" Zhao is ready to tease him. "You know that half of my cupboard is already filled with your underwear, your majesty?"

"Shut it. I just think I need to ask permission." Shen is half sleeping.

"Well, I was just going to ask." Zhao smiles.

The ring might just need to wait till tomorrow, Zhao thinks. Too bad, he has taken his time to pick it himself.

-end-

Alright, Guys, My deepest apologize for a very very late update of the last part of this story. 

Again, I am sorry if it's short, not enough or even when you are not satisfied with this. I have been trying my best, but I'll take any critic anyway. :)

It's nearing the intake of the university and my busy time has come since the last year, so yeah. I think I am taking a bit to the long break (or already are)


Anyway, please enjoy. 
Cheers!