Zhan was torn between happiness and worry. He was more than happy when Yibo came to him and talked to him and even his parents. But he was also worried because of what Yibo had told him about the conversation with his father. After all, it didn't need a genius to realize that Yibo's father could still cause a lot of trouble.

But because that night was also supposed to be Zhan and Yibo's first date, Zhan didn't want to let those dark thoughts, of possible problems with Yibo's family, get to him. He had waited too long for this day. For a whole 10 years, he had dreamed of going on a date with Yibo. So the last thing he would want to do was to let it be spoiled, now that the time had finally come.

However, thoughts can't be turned off that easily. Not even when Zhan has his dream man right in front of him. Again and again Zhan's thoughts wandered and ended up with questions like, what kind of person Yibo's father is! He does not accept that his son is gay. But at the same time he allows Yibo to have fun with a man and to let off steam with a man. But also only as long as it suits his father. And if his father says Yibo should end it, then he has to do what his father wants him to do. And of course without ifs and buts.

And also the worry that Yibo might not find a way to get his parents to accept Zhan and their relationship kept finding a way into Zhan's thoughts. This worry, of course, is perfectly normal after waiting 10 years for this chance to be with Yibo and now naturally fearing that it will end in a broken heart.

Zhan still somehow managed to hide his true thoughts and feelings and showed Yibo how happy he was that Yibo came to him and how much he was looking forward to their date together.

Before the two went on their way, Zhan showed him his room. There wasn't much to see there, because Zhan hadn't been living with his parents for long and had only brought a few things from Chongqing, but there was one particular thing that Zhan really wanted to show and explain. Namely, the picture that Zhan had taken of Yibo in the summer 10 years ago.

Zhan was very nervous as he sat down on his bed and asked Yibo to sit next to him. He carefully reached under his pillow and felt for the picture when Yibo's cell phone suddenly rang. It was his father calling him to remind him not to forget that his uncle would be coming to visit that evening.

Yibo sighed, "Dad, he's staying for a week. It's enough for me to greet him tomorrow, too, isn't it?"

But Yibo's father saw it differently. "Did you forget that you were going to pick him up at the airport because he won't be landing until so late?"

"Oh crap, that's right."

"Your uncle is counting on you. So keep your promise."

"Yes dad." Replied Yibo. He looked at the clock and was relieved that he still had a few hours left for the date with Zhan. Still, he was also annoyed because he would have liked to spend the night here at Zhan's house so he could spend more time with him.

When Yibo hung up and put his cell phone away, he asked Zhan what he wanted to show him. Zhan, however, had by now lost the courage to show him the picture and tell him when and how it had been taken. The fear that Yibo would think he was a crazy stalker was suddenly too great. So he said, "Oh actually, I just wanted to be alone with you for a moment so I could tell you that I'm really looking forward to our date." When Yibo looked away for a moment, Zhan slipped the picture into his trouser pocket.

"Mn, I'm looking forward too. Best we get going right now." Yibo replied, frowning. He guessed that Zhan had wanted to say something completely different, but didn't want to ask him about it either.

"Exactly. Do you know where we're going yet?"

"I thought we could have dinner at a good restaurant first and then go to a movie."

"Sounds good." Said Zhan. Neither he nor Yibo had ever been on a date before and their knowledge of this was limited solely to the familiar standards as always shown in movies.

Only a few minutes later, the two of them set out and shortly thereafter realized that on a Saturday night, it is not at all easy to find a good restaurant where every table is not already reserved. Even in the less popular restaurants, nothing could be done. Again and again they heard the same answer: "It's Saturday night and we are fully booked. You have to make your reservations early enough."

In the end, they ended up in a small crowded diner where it smelled like old frying oil and bouletes. So they ordered only a hamburger with fries and a Coke to go, preferring to eat in the car. Not only was the smell disgusting to both of them, but also Yibo has always hated crowded places. And in the car as a couple, by a river with a view of the city skyline, it had been much more romantic anyway.

Afterwards, the two had actually wanted to go to the movies. But at first they couldn't agree on a movie, because none of the screened movies really interested them and then they had to keep an eye on the time, so that Yibo would still have enough time to bring Zhan back home and to get to the airport to pick up his uncle.

So they stayed where they were and walked together along the river on this windy but mild autumn evening. At first, they just walked side by side and talked about Yibo's work as the head of the management department, but after a few minutes, Yibo took Zhan's hand and walked with him hand in hand along the river.

Shyly, the two kept looking at each other before Yibo suddenly stopped, looked Zhan straight in the eyes and asked, "Are you okay with me kissing you now?"

"Why are you asking me that? Just do it." Replied Zhan sheepishly.

"I'm asking because I don't want to do anything you don't want me to do."

"But you may kiss me."

"Fine." Replied Yibo with a smile. He stroked Zhan's cheek with his free hand and kissed him. It was a very tender kiss, with Yibo putting his arms around Zhan after three or four seconds and hugging him tightly. "I'm so glad we finally have each other back Zhan."

"I'm glad too Yibo."

"I won't let you go anymore now. No matter what I have to do to make it happen Zhan, I won't let you go."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. I've waited two damn long years to see you again. And now I'm holding you close."

"Can I confess something to you Yibo?"

"Sure."

"I've fallen in love with you."

"Good, I'm falling in love with you too. ZhanZhan, I've been in love with you for two years."

"I... so how do I say this?"

"Just say what you want to say."

Zhan finally wanted to confess to Yibo how long he's been in love with him, so he took out Yibo's picture from his trouser pocket and gave it to him. Yibo looked at it and looked at Zhan questioningly. "I took this picture in the summer 10 years ago." Explained Zhan.

"Um, that was at the youth club, right?"

"Yes. I was visiting my relatives here in Beijing during the summer vacation back then, and I went to the youth club every day with my cousin. That's when I first saw you."

"And did we talk there or?"

"Not really. I was that boy you fell on when you tripped."

"Wait a minute. That cute guy from back then, that was you?"

"You thought I was cute?"

"Yes. I have a confession to make as well. Thanks to you, I realized I was gay back then. I made a special effort to get your attention back then. I was hoping you might approach me. Unfortunately, I was still too shy myself at the time and hoped you'd make the first move."

"I was too shy, too. But I kept a close eye on you and saw how great you were. The very first day there, when I saw you, I fell in love with you."

"Wow. I always wondered why you hadn't come to the youth club more. Why didn't you say anything two years ago? "

"Well, the way you had approached me and the kiss thing, I assumed you recognized me from back then. I didn't realize until afterwards, after we slept with each other, that you didn't know me at all."

"You've changed a lot since then. I didn't recognize you, I'm sorry to say."

"Well, it was a long time ago and I was only 13 years old then. But hey, I had my first kiss with you."

"That was also my first kiss for me. Tell me, has there ever been another man in your life?"

"No, never. I've been in love with you since then and there's never been anyone else. What about you? Have you ever had anything with another man?"

"No. I liked the boy then, so you. And then I saw you at the club and felt magically drawn to you. I fell in love with you. There was never anyone else before you, or after you. So you were my first time at everything."

"As you were with me. I was really afraid to tell you that you know?"

"Why?"

"Well, I thought it would make you think I was some kind of crazy stalker."

"I'm honestly just happy right now. Do you have any more pictures of me?"

"Just this one and one I've been carrying around in my wallet since then."

"Well, those pictures are 10 years old, aren't they? I'll give you a new picture of me next time."

"I'd rather have two pictures."

"Why two?"

"Well, this one I always keep under my pillow. I can't fall asleep if I don't have your picture there."

"Okay, then you get two pictures of me. But then I want two pictures of you, too."

"I'd love to."

"Hey Zhan?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm going to take Thursday and Friday off for my move. Do you want to maybe stay over next weekend when I'm finally living in the city apartment? I don't expect anything, I just like to spend time with you."

"Sure, I'd love to. But we should probably get condoms anyway."

"Okay. I can buy some. But we could also get health tested and then at some point we could have sex without condoms..."

"No, we can't!"

"Um. Okay. And why not?"

"I can't tell you that yet. I'm perfectly healthy, don't worry. But there's something else I can't talk about just yet."

"All right. I hope it's nothing bad."

"No, not necessarily that. Don't worry about it. I'll explain soon." Zhan couldn't possibly tell him already that he might get pregnant if they were careless and slept with each other without condoms.

"Good, how does it look? Are you still hungry?"

"Not really. But an ice cream would be nice right now."

"Then we'll get some ice cream now, eat that, and then I'll drive you home. And if you don't mind, I'll come back to your place tomorrow afternoon. We could, if the weather cooperates, go for another walk."

"Oh, yes. And if it rains, we can watch a movie in my room, too."

"Mn. If your parents don't mind."

"I'm sure they won't. I think they both like you."

"You think?"

"Well, they offered you a sleepover. They wouldn't do that if they didn't like you."

"True. It's really too bad. I would have loved to stay at your place tonight."

"That would have been nice."

"Mn. But we'll see each other again tomorrow, and next weekend we'll spend together. And until then, we'll talk on the phone and write each other."

"Absolutely." Replied Zhan. He was so happy that he hugged Yibo and the two kissed again before buying ice cream, eating it and walking back to the car hand in hand.

Yibo drove Zhan home and after a five minute long goodbye kiss, Zhan went into the house and Yibo went to the airport to pick up his uncle. He had been so happy that he was grinning all the time. Even when he saw his uncle approach him and shake his hand in greeting. Yibo knew that for the time being no one would be able to spoil his good mood.

A/N: Unfortunately, it always takes a bit of time with the updates for this story because I go about it relatively unplanned and just write whatever comes to mind. Although there is a rough direction in which this story should go. But nothing is planned and everything is open. If you also want to bring in your ideas, you are welcome to write me a message. Of course you will be mentioned by name if your idea makes it into the story.