Salvation

Chapter 10

Blue Rose came on so naturally I came here lol. That song is like crack when it comes to my writing.

...

Yixing looped the small black apron around his waist, tying it behind him as he walked around his room. Today would be his first official day at the restaurant. And he was equal parts nervous and excited, if the small flips his stomach did were any indication. It would mean less time at the facility with Zitao, however, which had been his only misgiving about getting the job in the first place. He treasured his time with the smaller male. And he knew Zitao would miss them both terribly.

"Going to work?" Yixing twisted so he was facing Yifan. He sealed his lips on his cousin's gaunt appearance, taking in the hollow cheeks and sunken eyes and wiry frame. He knew Yifan hadn't been eating properly or taking care if himself much, but he hadn't known to what extent until now. He tisked and marched up to his cousin, adjusting his tie.

"Remember, you're no use to Tao if you can't even stand," Yixing reprimanded gently. Yifan's face morphed into a look that was hard to decipher. Yixing stepped back, holding the older male's gaze for an uncomfortably long time. "If you care about him so much, make sure you're well enough to see him." Without another word, Yifan whirled around and stormed out of the kitchen. Yixing sighed, raking his fingers through his too long hair. He worried about Yifan. More than he probably should have.

He worried Yifan would let himself waste away to absolutely nothing, until he was so frail that he could hardly move. He worried that Yifan's mental state would devolve into nothingness until he couldn't physically function anymore. He worried that one day he would come home to... Anything less than desirable. Tao needed strong, stable figures in his life. And Yifan needed a reason to be that strong, stable figure. Without Tao here, he was like a boat sent to sea with no crew, left to its own devices, lost and wandering as the waves rocking and swept it away.

Those thoughts nestled in Yixing's brain and kept him company on the cab ride to the restaurant. Taunting him. Mocking him. Tearing and ripping at his own sanity. Yixing grew up with strong upbringings. Stable, loving support. He trusted his own abilities. But he had no idea how to be a driving force to two outside bodies. Attempting to comfort two people standing so close to opposite edges and Yixing had to run between them or risk losing one to the abyss below. He would have to call his parents and vent. He didn't know how to handle all of this.

"Zhang Yixing." He bowed as he was greeted at the door by the owner. Yixing glanced around. A fairly unimpressive interior. Beige walls with a white ceiling to open it up. A few crud paintings hanging crookedly around them. Tables and chairs looking like they'd been bought on a discount sale. Yixing subtly wrinkled his nose, turning back to the owner, a lean man more limb than body. Kang WooSuk. Yixing pinned him somewhere in his early to mid forties. "Thank you for starting on such short notice," WooSuk continued, bowing back.

"Of course," Yixing said breezily, following the man back to the kitchen. If the dining hall was less than impressive, the kitchen was downright pitiful. Small and cramped, with what appeared to be outdated appliances. Yixing pursed his lips, peering around like more kitchen would appear out of thin air. WooSuk left him to his own devices now, and Yixing closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths. He rolled his shoulders and steeled his nerves, marching to the sink and washing his hands.

This is just temporary, he reminded himself. It's just for a paycheck. Do it for Yifan and Zitao.

He set to work quickly and quietly after that, putting his culinary expertise to good use. Simple dishes to start out. Black bean noodles were dishes he could make in his sleep. Bimbap also came easy to him for some reason. He hummed as he worked, delicious smells soon filling the tiny space. Sauces and spices and sweets. It reminded Yixing a lot of growing up on the outskirts of Beijing, whipping up dishes in his family kitchen.