A couple of weeks went by. Bai Hai Qi couldn't help noticing that with each passing day, his son was becoming less and less talkative. Bai Luo Yin would go straight to work after school and return home late in the evening. He listened to Bai Hai Qi's ramblings during dinner and went back to his room for studies. Bai Hai Qi would remain at the dinner table lost in thought. When he went to Bai Luo Yin's room carrying some tea a couple of hours later, he'd find him fallen asleep on a book at his study table with one hand tightly holding onto his phone. He would slowly approach his son and fondly watch him for a moment before leaving the tea on his table. Little did he know that even in his sleep Bai Luo Yin was awaiting Gu Hai's call each night which came around 9.30.

After several days of finding him asleep at his table like this, one night Bai Hai Qi decided to check on him again a few minutes later. Even as he approached the door he could hear his son's voice speaking in a hushed tone. As Bai Luo Yin's bed came into view, he saw him lying sideways facing the other wall with his phone placed over one ear. Although what he was saying was inaudible, exhaustion was evident in his voice. That was why Bai Hai Qi was slightly surprised when he heard him giggle. It did not take a genius to figure out that clearly the person Bai Luo Yin was talking to was someone he had a special relationship with.

Just as Bai Hai Qi was about to leave he heard him say "Gu Hai....".

Bai Hai Qi involuntarily paused.

" I.....um....I really miss you too..."

Although Bai Hai Qi was slightly taken aback, he did not jump to any conclusions. They are step brothers after all.. He mused. After that all he could hear was Bai Luo Yin's signature short responses to whatever Gu Hai was saying. Hence he decided to stop eavesdropping and left.

                                *****

Gu Hai and Bai Luo Yin had met only once for the entirety of those two weeks. The daily phone call was the only thing they looked forward to each day. After much pleading from Gu Hai, Bai Luo Yin finally agreed to let him visit his place. It felt like ages since Gu Hai had last visited Bai Luo Yin's house.

When Bai Luo Yin informed his father, he was extremely happy to Bai Luo Yin's surprise. 'You like him that much?' He wondered. 'Would you still like him if you knew the truth about us?'

He made it a point to request his father not to bring up anything regarding the fact that he was working after school.

It was a Wednesday night and Bai Luo Yin was near the main door awaiting Gu Hai's arrival. Not long after, Gu Hai arrived carrying two bags of what seemed like gifts.

As soon as he saw Bai Luo Yin he dropped the bags and pulled him into an embrace.

Bai Luo Yin hesitantly pulled away quickly. "Dad is home!"

"So what? Let me hug you properly." Gu Hai complained.

"What's all this?" Bai Luo Yin changed the topic, indicating the gift bags.

"Just some things I picked up for you."

"Son! You're here!" Bai Hai Qi approached them.

"Uncle! It's been a while!" Gu Hai smiled gleefully.

"Come in, come in!" Bai Hai Qi returned the smile and led him inside.

                                  ******

An hour later, dinner was served. The three sat around the table enjoying the meal.

"You know..., I'm truly happy that you two remained close even after Bai Luo Yin returned to his old school." Bai Hai Qi casually commented.

Gu Hai and Bai Luo Yin's eyes met in an instant before Bai Luo Yin guiltily looked down at his plate.

"Yeah... we um...formed a special bond." Gu Hai responded with a smile. In fact would you mind if your son moved in with me? He wanted to add.

Bai Hai Qi nodded. "I can see that."

Gu Hai watched Bai Luo Yin for a second. "So Yin Zi.., do you like the gifts?"

"You shouldn't have wasted so much money." Bai Luo Yin answered earnestly.

"It's never a waste if it's for you.." Gu Hai spoke softly.

Bai Luo Yin gulped and shot him a pointed look while his father busied himself to serve himself more food. For the rest of the dinner, Bai Luo Yin made it a point to avoid meeting his father's eyes.

After helping Bai Hai Qi clean the dishes, the two boys made their way to Bai Luo Yin's room.

Gu Hai immediately flopped down onto the bed while Bai Luo Yin stood near the doorway. Gu Hai grabbed one of Bai Luo Yin's pillows and breathed in the familiar fragrance.

Bai Luo Yin narrowed his eyes. "What are you doing?"

"I missed your smell." Gu Hai kept holding onto the pillow.

Bai Luo Yin leaned against the doorframe. "Okay. Then keep doing that."

Gu Hai pouted. "Why aren't you coming in? Just come in and close the door."

"Close the door?"

"Yeah.. .well do you want to keep it open when I kiss you?"

"Shouldn't you be going back?" Bai Luo Yin questioned nervously.

Gu Hai got up to sit. "You think I pleaded to let me come here just to have dinner?"

Bai Luo Yin still stood rooted to the spot. "But.. you know my-"

"Dad." Gu Hai completed his sentence dejectedly.

Gu Hai was reaching a point of getting fed up of hearing reasons why they could not meet, spend time together and be intimate like normal couples.

Bai Luo Yin on the other hand was keeping this distance because just like Gu Hai, he had all these pent up emotions that he feared would spill out any moment. And yet he did not want Gu Hai to truly leave just yet.

"How are things at school?" Bai Luo Yin asked in an attempt to lighten the mood.

Gu Hai sighed. "Not the same without you." His gaze remained on Bai Luo Yin. "That little pest is tolerable now though." He added.

Bai Luo Yin scrunched his eyebrows. "Who?"

"Ming Shu. He's actually quite attentive and helpful." Gu Hai answered, knowing full well what he was doing.

Bai Luo Yin gritted his teeth. "Well that's nice to hear." It actually made his sadness turn into anger, an emotion with which he felt more comfortable.

Gu Hai raised his eyebrows.

Bai Luo Yin walked over to his study table and sat on the chair, with his back facing Gu Hai. He proceeded to skim through a book.

Gu Hai immediately regretted his words. He stood up slowly and approached the chair.

Bai Luo Yin felt a gentle touch on his neck which extended to the side of one jaw.

"Yin Zi..." Said Gu Hai's voice gently.

Bai Luo Yin refused to be coaxed. "I need to study."

Gu Hai did not withdraw his hand which kept caressing the side of Bai Luo Yin's face. "Can't you do it later.? How often do we get to meet like this hmm?" his voice remained tender.

Bai Luo Yin continued to ignore him, pretending to keep his focus on the book.

"Yin Zi..."

Bai Luo Yin flipped a couple of pages.

A moment passed.

"Okay. I 'll just get out of your way then." Gu Hai declared in resignation and took a step back.

Bai Luo Yin slightly turned his head to the side to see Gu Hai move towards the doorway. His body reacted before his brain and before he knew it he had reached Gu Hai in two steps. "Where are you going?" He asked angrily, grabbing Gu Hai by the hand.

"Just leaving like you wanted me to." Gu Hai shot back.

Bai Luo Yin's eyes could not help shifting to Gu Hai's stubborn lips which remained slightly parted.

An invisible force pushed him forward and he claimed that pair of lips that belonged to him.

Caught off-guard, Gu Hai moaned into the kiss., pulling Bai Luo Yin impossibly close. This was all the assurance Gu Hai needed. His doubts about Bai Luo Yin's feelings for him having weakened were washed away with every crash of their lips. Gu Hai urgently moved to kiss and nibble Bai Luo Yin's neck, which is when Bai Luo Yin's eyes slightly opened to see the frozen figure right outside his room.

His father stood there with a look of utter horror. God knew how long he had been there and how much he had seen.

In reality Bai Hai Qi was actually coming to ask whether they would like some tea, only to be greeted with the sight of his son smooching his step-brother.

Bai Luo Yin immediately jerked himself away from Gu Hai who then instinctively turned around to see what made Bai Luo Yin react that way only to be met with a death glare from Bai Hai Qi.

"Uncle.." Gu Hai's lips slightly trembled.

Bai Luo Yin's brain did not seem to function for a moment. "Gu Hai leave." He muttered.

Gu Hai's head slightly turned to look at Bai Luo Yin.. "No I'm not leaving you like this.. what if-" He spoke quietly.

"GO!" Bai Luo Yin exclaimed.

Gu Hai ignored his demand. "Uncle..please listen..this is all my fault." He began.

"Please leave. I'd like to speak with my son." Bai Hai Qi finally spoke. His tone was bone-numbingly low.

Gu Hai felt helpless, on one hand he wanted to obey and leave but on the other hand he wanted to make sure that Bai Luo Yin was not harshly punished.

His eyes found Bai Luo Yin's which screamed 'leave now!'

Without a better choice, he slowly walked out with his head down and before he exited through the main door, he stole one last glance at his lover.

Once outside, Gu Hai kept pacing back and forth. 'What if uncle convinces him to end this? What if he makes Yin Zi choose between him and me? It was hard enough to get him to let me in..,what if all that effort goes down the drain? It's hard as it is with us barely getting to meet now, and it is gonna only make it easier for uncle to separate us...'

[ END of Part I ]

                             
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Pic credit : Somikse