don't you think it's time for you to let me go? (Yizhan FF)

will you ever let me go?

By this blood, I bind my soul to thee
 
Let my soul be thy anchor 
 
To this world and beyond
 
By this blood I bind my soul to thee
 
Let my soul be thy guide 
 
From now on until eternity

☆☆☆

It was mid afternoon at the end of summer, where the warm breeze started to get colder. The hint of autumn has touched the edge of the town, and the smell of pumpkin spice and marshmallow permeated the air, enticing people with their sweet scents.
 
Xiao Zhan opened the window to his studio wider to let the air circulate for a bit, and let the paint smell out. He smiled proudly of himself for finally finishing the last painting for the exhibition. 
 
He then walked downstairs and switched on the TV then walked to the kitchen to prepare for dinner.
 
"Hmm, I wonder what Yibo would like to eat today." He rummaged through the fridge and the cupboard to find inspiration for dinner. He found chicken thighs and decided to make karaage, Japanese deep fried pieces of chicken. He cut the chicken into bite sized pieces and marinated them in soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and apple puree and let them sit while he made salad and cooked rice.
 
He was in the middle of coating the chicken pieces with cornflour when he heard the front door slammed open and close and he heard the familiar voice calling him.
 
"Zhan geee! I'm home!"
 
His heart swelled with so much love and affection every time he heard that deep voice calling his name with such a familiarity. 
 
"In the kitchen." 
 
He put the chicken pieces inside the hot oil when he felt the hug from behind, and the warm, wet kisses on his neck.
 
"Mm, you smell so good, baobao, I miss you…" he nipped and licked the neck, making Xiao Zhan giggled.
 
"Stop it, you're gonna get splashed by hot oil…" 
 
But he turned around and gave him a kiss.
 
"Mm… you smell… go wash yourself, I'll finish making dinner and then we'll eat together." He wiped a dirty spot on the smooth cheek.
 
"Well, yeah, I feel gravel inside the place that shouldn't have gravel, so I really do need that shower after all." He walked to the shower, shedding clothes on his way there, leaving it all on the floor. 
 
Xiao Zhan only sighed and put aside his cooking before he went and picked up all the dirty clothes and put them in the washing machine.
 
While he did that, his ears perked up at the mention of the serial killer that's rampaging in their town lately. That person had killed a lot of people. Male, female, he did not discriminate. That only made it hard for the police to find any pattern if any at all. He just prayed that Yibo would be fine and he insisted for him to bring a mini heavy-duty spray pepper with his keys. Better be prepared than sorry.
 
Yibo of course indulged him. 
 
He only noticed the little droplet of blood because it was near the hem of the shirt he was turning inside out. He froze for a while but decided to keep calm about it. 
 
I'm sure it's nothing. Yibo is clumsy, maybe he cut his finger or had a nosebleed, or… 
 
He shook his head off that thought and decided to finish his cooking before Yibo's done and complain about being starved to death.
 
He quickly prepared the plates and the bowls for rice before he put the hot karaage into the plate to share, although he knew Yibo would polish most of it. He was just putting the salad in when Yibo hugged him from behind and kissed his neck.
 
"Ge, you smell nice, like fried chicken… Can I eat you?"
 
Xiao Zhan's breath hitched, but then he turned back and kissed his boyfriend back.
 
"After dinner, baobei…"
 
They ate dinner while Yibo told him about things that happened on the race track, making Xiao Zhan's laugh.
 
"So, did you hurt yourself on the track?" Xiao Zhan casually asked Yibo.
 
"What do you mean ge? I'm perfectly fine, as you see here, healthy 130%" he grinned and continued eating. "Why do you ask, ge?"
 
"Oh, because I found a tiny drop of blood on your shirt. I thought you hurt yourself." He answered casually while eyeing Yibo.
 
Yibo's expression looked like a deer caught in the headlight.
 
Most people would not be able to discern the minute change of his expression, but Xiao Zhan was not most people. He was the only person who knew Yibo inside out.
 
"What's wrong baobei? Are you okay?"
 
"I-I'm fine, ge, let's just finish dinner, okay? I'm suddenly feeling very tired." He faked yawning and continued eating, although not as fast as he did before.