From the Beginning

Chapter 35: Stiff

            Yulian decided not to tell Bowen about Skye's transport. The fact that Bowen was the one who died saving Skye in the original timeline still surprised Yulian. So, by the time he came to transport Bowen back to the past, Skye had already changed history by saving his life. If Bowen saves Skye this time around, he might end up reverting back into the original timeline. That means that they will be repeating in a loop where one of them must die saving the other.

"John ge." Bowen's voice woke Yulian from his train of thoughts.

"What is it?" Yulian glanced over at him.

"Are you feeling okay?"

"Of course," Yulian confirmed with a smile. "I'm a...you know what I am...so I'm very much fine."

"You're in a daze. Did something happen earlier when you went out?"

"What...?" Yulian tried to keep a straight face. "What could happen?"

"I don't know. You seem a little distracted after you came home. What did you go out to do?"

"I...coffee."

"You went out for coffee?"

"Yes."

"Why? We have coffee at here."

Yulian thought for a moment. "I went out to watch others drink coffee. My journey of studying humans is never-ending."

"What is so interesting about watching people drink coffee? Skye ge drinks coffee, and you never watch him." Bowen lifted a questioning brow.

"If I stare at your Skye ge, you will be jealous. Then, you'll throw a hissy fit and it will bring distress to me. I can't handle it when you stick your lips out like sausages and do those begging dog eyes."

"Sad puppy eyes," Bowen corrected.

"Yes, those puppy teary eyes." Yulian nodded.

"My lips don't look like sausages when I pout."

"I'll have to disagree."

"How is it that sometimes you speak so brilliantly, yet other times you sound like an inhuman?"

"Perhaps, you shouldn't say that out loud," Yulian suggested. "The others don't know about me."

Bowen gasped and quickly glanced around the room. Oh, thank goodness they aren't here.

"So, what are you going to do now?"

"Regarding what...?" Bowen blinked confusedly.

"About Skye," Yulian reminded. "You two kissed on the Ferris wheel. Are you going to confess to him?"

"I," Bowen pondered, "don't want to drag him along in case something happens to me."

"It's almost the New Year, so you have approximately 8 months before your birthday to figure out how you want to go about everything."

"8 months," Bowen muttered to himself. "I only have 8 months..."

***

"5..." the crowd shouted. "4...3...2...1... Happy New Year!"

Bowen glanced over at Skye and smiled. "Happy New Year, ge."

"Happy New Year," Skye stated with a warm smile.

"It's chilly tonight." Bowen unwrapped his scarf and draped it around Skye's neck.

"It's okay." Skye removed the scarf and rewrapped it on Bowen's neck. "I'm not cold."

A pair of hands reached over and took one end of the scarf whilst the two were busy gazing at each other. Pulling it over to wrap around Skye's shoulders, Sion announced. "There you go. You two can share the scarf. This way, you'll both be warm."

"By the way they are blushing; they look plenty warm, if not hot." Jensen pointed out.

"Why aren't they moving?" Sion wondered. "Maybe we should get back inside. They might be frozen stiff."

"Stiff, huh?"

Sion narrowed his eyes at Jensen in disapproval. "Ge, you are so bad."

"Why am I bad?" Jensen asked. "They aren't moving at all. If they're not stiff, then what are they?"

"Oh." Sion plastered on a sheepish smile. "I thought..."

"What are you thinking in that head of yours, you little pervert?" Seeing Sion jutting out his bottom lip, Jensen added. "I'll treat you to dessert."

"I want," Sion lowered his voice and leaned closer to whisper into Jensen's ear, "you for dessert."

"You," Jensen chuckled, "are such a tease."

"I'm your pervert after all." Sion beamed.

"Their conversation is more freezing than the weather," Yulian commented. "I'm getting bumps on my skin."

"You're having a case of the goosebumps," Bailey notified. "Sometimes they appear not because it's cold, but rather from public displays of affection."

"There are definitely a lot of displays of affection in public." Yulian smiled at Bailey.

I miss you, Yulian.

I miss you too, Bailey. Yulian looked up at the luminous fireworks lighting up the evening sky. "It's beautiful."

"Yes," Bailey agreed.

"Happy New Year!" Yulian said.

As long as you're with me, my year will be happy. Bailey greeted back. "Happy New Year!"

"Ge, let's go get some desserts," Sion suggested.

"For the sake of accuracy, what kind of desserts are you referring to?" Jensen smirked.

"The edible kind," Sion answered matter-of-factly.

"Again, what kind of desserts are you referring to?"

Finally catching on, Sion blurted. "Not you."

"So, it must be you then. I can taste you already."

"Aiyoh, ge. Not me either."

"Trust me. You're very tasty. I speak from experience."

"My skin is getting bumps once more," Yulian informed.

"Mine, too." Bailey joined in.

"Whatever." Sion huffed and grasped Jensen's hand. "Let's go get some drinks and desserts."

"All right." Jensen nodded. "Everyone, let's go somewhere warm."

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Happy New Year, Everyone!  ^__^