19 Days - One Shots

A Sacrifice For Love - Part One

One Day

"He Tian, I want your permission to-" Qiu stopped himself. Shaking his head, he gripped the steering wheel tight. No, Qiu, that sounds too demanding. You need to be more gentle. You can't shock the poor boy too much. "He Tian, I would like your permission-" Great now I sound too soft. He Tian will just laugh at me when I see him.

Qiu pulled up to He Tian's apartment and stepped out, looking up at the tall building. He had come all this way to talk to his colleagues' younger brother and had attempted to practice what he was going to say on the way over. Instead, all he seemed to do was fumble and make mistakes and now that he was actually here, he had no idea how to ask the young boy if Qiu could pursue his older brother and make him his lover.

Taking a deep breath, Qiu went inside and made his way up to He Tian's apartment, hoping the boy was alone and not with his three usual companions. He knocked on the door and waited when he suddenly realised he was nervous. He had known He Tian ever since he was a small child and now he was ready to make He Tian his brother-in-law.

He Tian opened the door with a tired and surprised expression. "Brother Qiu? What are you doing here?" He stepped back to make room for the older male.

Qiu nodded politely and stepped inside, his gaze instantly going to the beautiful view from He Tian's floor-to-ceiling windows. He always enjoyed the sight on the rare occasions he came with He Cheng. "Sorry for the intrusion, He Tian, I came here to talk to you. Are you alone?"

He Tian closed the door and stood by the windows, looking out of them as he took a cigarette out of his pocket and lit it. "Yeah. I just woke up from a nap. What's up? Where's my brother?"

Qiu swallowed. "He's back at the office. Actually I'm here because of your brother. I came to ask you something," Qiu stood by the window and looked across the pale blue sky that had few clouds. "Have you ever loved someone so much, just the mere thought of them makes it hard to breathe?"

Recognition crossed He Tian's face as he took a draw of his cigarette. "What's this about, Brother Qiu? You said you came here because of my brother. Did he find himself a pretty girl he wants to call his wife?"

Qiu breathed out a laugh. "Not quite. It's... It's me, He Tian. I've finally figured out who I want to spend the rest of my life with. It's your brother." He Tian looked shocked as he stared at the older male in front of him. "I've come here to ask for your permission to pursue your brother, to make him mine."

Seeming to recover rather quickly, He Tian's mouth curved into a smile as he stubbed his cigarette into the ashtray on the nightstand. "Permission? Brother Qiu, you sure are old fashioned. You don't need my permission; do as you please. But if you really want it, you have my blessing."

Qiu stared at He Tian as happiness bloomed in his chest. "Thank yo-"

He was interrupted by He Tian's door being kicked open. A small group of men carrying guns burst into the room, shocking the boys who had never seen any of the men stood before them. He Tian stepped forward. "Who the hell are you guys?"

Qiu raised his arm to block He Tian from stepping any further and reached for the gun tucked in his waistband.

A guy with dark red, spiky hair stepped forward and pointed his gun at Qiu. "I wouldn't do that if I were you. Drop it nice and slowly." Holding his hands in surrender, Qiu pulled the gun slowly from his waistband and dropped it on the floor. "Good boy." He grinned.

"Who the hell are you and what do you want?" Qiu breathed through gritted teeth. He couldn't take on this many, not without putting He Tian into more danger, and not with that many guns pointed at them.

"We were on our way in when we couldn't help but overhear your little conversation. Permission to pursue his brother? How... disgusting." Men snickered behind him and Qiu frowned as anger soared through his blood. "Anyway, move aside, Brother Qiu, we're not here for you."

Panic and surprise fought for dominance as Qiu realised these men were here to take He Tian. Or worse...

"Why?" He questioned as he pushed He Tian into the corner of the room, trapping him between himself and the wall. "What do you want with the boy?"

"Let's just say we have some business with his older brother. We previously struck a deal and he seems to be lacking on his end of the bargain. We just want a little... insurance to persuade him to stop slacking." A dark grin spread across the unknown man's face. Stepping forward, he cocked the gun and pointed it directly at Qiu's face. "Now move or lose that handsome face of yours."

"Wait, wait! Take me instead."

He Tian grabbed Qiu's arm and gave him a panicked look. "Brother Qiu no. It's me they want, not you. Just let me go before you get hurt."

The man cocked his head to the side and stared at Qiu. "And why would I do that?"

Qiu pushed He Tian against the wall and held him there by a hand on his chest. "He Cheng isn't even close with his brother. They've always been separated. He Tian hasn't even spoken to his brother in years. I'm the only one that comes to visit and keeps tabs on them both." Qiu hoped desperately that this lie would work otherwise he was as good as dead and He Tian would be in serious trouble.

"What's your point, man? He's still his brother. I'm getting bored." He stepped closer again and put his finger on the trigger.

"They may be brothers by blood but that's it. Me on the other hand, I work with He Cheng every day so I know him better than anyone. Plus, you said you heard our conversation so you know how I feel about him. I'm pretty sure he feels the same otherwise I wouldn't pursue him. Take me, not him."

Silence filled the room. The unknown man, who had been staring with cold eyes, suddenly grinned maliciously.

"Take him."

-------

This is part one that was requested by AuteiMariana I hope you enjoyed it and part two will be up soon!!