The whole city looked new, like the colors of dirt has washed away. Even though Xiao Zhan pulled an all-nighter, the fresh air made him energetic. Xiao Zhan inhaled a lung full – his smile was dazzling one.

"I will ask An Bai if I can bring Yibo out."

This weather must be enjoyed.

Xiao Zhan strolled happily along the lush grass, diving in the wind and twirling in the grass. He wanted Yibo to feel it too. So he quickened his pace and reached the Rehabilitation Center.

"Good Morning, everyone!" Xiao Zhan greeted gleefully. But the moment they saw him, everyone avoided their gazes.

That's new.

"The weather is wonderful isn't it?" He tried again.

"Y-yeah. It is." Caihong being the brave one greeted. Xiao Zhan could feel the heavy air. Maybe they don't like rain as much as he did?

"An Bai." Xiao Zhan spotted the diligent nurse and called her out. The poor lady jumped in surprise.

"Y-yes Xiao Zhan?"

"Is it okay if I bring Yibo outside? I mean he stays in that room all day, he could use little fresh air, don't you think? Don't worry, I will watch him carefully." Xiao Zhan said with his usual smile.

Caihong and An Bai shared a glance. The sooner the better.

"Xiao Zhan...there's something you should know..."

. . .

The fresh air suddenly felt too dense for him to breathe. The same misty world looked as if it had been crying all night. He ran fast as he could, looking for a taxi, bus, even a cycle would do.

'Wang Yibo's in the hospital.'

He didn't care if the water beneath splashed around, he didn't even bother to jump through the puddles.

'We found him on the floor this morning. Out cold.'

His shoes were completely soaked and he almost crashed into a car. But he managed to hail a taxi.

'He had a heart ailment prior to the accident.'

He didn't even take his change back from the driver and dashed straight inside.

"Wang Yibo! Where's the patient name Wang Yibo!" Xiao Zhan demanded in single breath.

"Calm down sir, let me check please." The receptionist was patient enough to give direction to the disheveled man.

"13-A. 13-A." Xiao Zhan searched for the room, passing each door plate and once he finally spot it. He suddenly lost all the courage to enter.

It was his fault that Yibo was there in first place, did he have any right to look at him now?

H-He's going to be okay. Yibo is strong. He has to be okay.

He encouraged his trembling weak heart. His hand was shaking as he twisted the knob. The smell of methanol welcomed him.

His eyes widened and glistened with tears and he found the man he desired to see lying on that bed.

"Xiao Zhan?"

Before Wang Yibo could speak further, he was engulfed into a tight embrace. It was too fast, he didn't even see it coming. The elder was quivering, holding him close.

"You're okay! You're okay!"

He repeated, his voice still shaking.

"I am. Xiao Zhan. Calm down."

"Thank God you're okay!" Xiao Zhan's heart was a mess. The amalgam of pain, guilt, fear and relief swirled in his stomach. He clutched him hard enough to leave prints on that pale skin but at that instant, Xiao Zhan was too afraid to let go and too ashamed to meet his eyes.

Wang Yibo let him be. He regretted a little that he couldn't lift his other hand to ease the elder. Damn this cannula!

After calming down, Xiao Zhan let go.

"I'm so sorry Yibo. It was all my fault. I-I shouldn't have –"

"Hey! Hey! Calm down. I'm alive, aren't I?"

"But you were –"

"Zhan-ge, you told me its my world and I make the rule that you can't cry." Wang Yibo said as he wiped the tears in his eyes.

He's crying. He's crying for someone like me.

Suddenly, it felt that Wang Yibo could see the real him through the reflection of those tears. If a stranger like Xiao Zhan could care for him this much? How hard would it be for him to do the same?

Aside from the new strike of belief, another fuzzy feeling took shape inside.

"That's not how it works." Xiao Zhan retaliated through his teary eyes. He had expected that Wang Yibo would push him away, and not want to see him again. He didn't realize how much attached he had gotten to the youngster and he didn't want to lose his new found friend.

"Too late. The rule has already been implemented." Wang Yibo shrugged.

Xiao Zhan chuckled through his wet eyes and wiped his face.

Just like the new weather, new feelings were born too.

. . .

His destination had changed for the couple of days. Instead of going to rehabilitation center, Xiao Zhan would visit the hospital instead. He already informed Caihong, An Bai and Fu Yao about it. And they said the same thing,

Don't over do yourself.

Was he overdoing it? The bags under his eyes would attest that.

"Zhan-ge what's that on your face?"

"My face?" Xiao Zhan strolled to the bathroom and saw in the mirror, there was smudge of red smeared on his cheeks.

Oh. It must be from the last night.

He wiped it clean and came back to Wang Yibo.

"That's nothing. Yibo can you guess what I made today?" Xiao Zhan placed the lunch box on the mini table at the bed.

Wang Yibo immediately became vigilant. He awaited Xiao Zhan's meal the most.

"Wonton?"

"No."

"Xiaolongbao?"

"No."

"Wonton?"

"You already said that silly." Xiao Zhan giggled and opened the lid. He decided it was best for the aroma to answer for itself. Once Wang Yibo whiffed a lung full, he almost jumped in excitement,

"Pork Rice Noodles!"

"Correct." In the regular visit of the past couple of days, Xiao Zhan learnt a lot about Wang Yibo. The youngster was adamant to not talk about who his parents were but he narrated everything else quiet openly.

Though Xiao Zhan had never tried to make Shredded pork rice noodles before, but after learning that it was Wang Yibo's favorite. He just had to give it a go.

"Xiao Zhan, wouldn't your family worry if you stay here too much? They might assume you have a girlfriend." Wang Yibo actually didn't care much about the first part of the question, after all Xiao Zhan was an adult. He didn't need his family's permission to go anywhere. His actual aim was the last part.

Although previously, Xiao Zhan said that he was single, but that didn't mean, he might not have a crush on anyone. So, Wang Yibo must find out. For Science.

"If you worry so much, why don't you get better quickly?" Xiao Zhan scolded lightly while feeding the munchkin.

To get better quickly and lose all this protocol?

It was the first time, Wang Yibo didn't hate being sick. In fact, if the elder was going to cook for him and feed him like this every day, he wouldn't mind staying for as long as he could.

This is real affection. Real love.

Why would he throw this precious feeling when he just found it?

"If Zhan-ge stays with me, I will recover quickly." Wang Yibo shamelessly blurted.

Xiao Zhan could only shook his head in disbelief. He had been in the inner turmoil of his own. Why did he care for youngster? And what was the extent of it?

Was it the guilt? Did he feel remorse? Or was it genuine concern?

In 5 years of volunteering, Xiao Zhan has made many friends. Some elders, some kids, women and men alike. He cared for them all but it was the first time, he felt his heart shake this much at the mere thought of losing a patient.

It was after a long time, he felt that feeling again. And he didn't know if he wanted to welcome it back or not.

"Zhan-ge?"

"Hm?"

"You missed my mouth."

"Oh sorry." Xiao Zhan quickly pushed away his thoughts and brought his full attention back to nursing Wang Yibo.

"Zhan-ge, is something the matter?" Wang Yibo asked. From all the days that Xiao Zhan had been coming over, he looked tired and tired each passing day. Not to mention the dark circles growing thicker after every night.

Maybe he was being selfish, keeping Xiao Zhan all to himself.

"Nothing's the matter. Quickly finish your meal so you can take the medicine."

Urgg the yuckie medicine.

Wang Yibo's face instantly turned green in disgust and he retaliated,

"I told them I'm fine, they just keep pushing more medicine on me."

At this rate, his stomach would go green too, so before he could turn into a complete alien, he playfully suggested, " Zhan-ge how about we sneak out?"

Despite his playful tone, Xiao Zhan only felt sad. Especially now when the youngster had removed all of the wall for him. He even addressed him in endearment. His pained eyes asked,

"Since when?"

When Wang Yibo looked at that saddened face, his heart ached. It was a different kind of pain that made him realized that He couldn't bare to see sadness in those eyes. He truthfully answered,

"Since forever."

Xiao Zhan turned his face around, his eyebrows slanted up while he bit his lips.

Since birth? He had been suffering since birth?

"It wasn't the disease that hurt though." Wang Yibo started, "My parents were always overprotective of me because of this. I wasn't allowed to go out, play or even make friends. My only solace was dancing. I wasn't allowed to do that either. So, I would sneak into our attic and dance from dawn to dusk."

He recalled many moments when he had trouble breathing but he kept it in. He knew if he let his parents know they will ban him from dancing all together. So, he kept doing until he could no more.

"I had a surgery. So, my heart isn't as weak as it used to be. I am allowed to dance as well."

But now his legs wouldn't move.

Wang Yibo looked down, somewhere deep inside, he knew he was being selfish. Xiao Zhan's expression of earlier was easy replica of his parents faces everytime, he was brought to the hospital. He was only making his parents worry. But before today he only focused on the aspect that they were keeping him from doing something he loved.

They were only protecting me.

If being healthy was what it took to make them not worry, Wang Yibo would do that now. So, that once he's fully recovered, he could also indulge freely in something he loved. A new wave of determination filled him. A new desire to make things right.

"Zhan-ge, I want to get better. Would you believe in me?" He extended his hand, it was slightly cold but Xiao Zhan accepted it in a heartbeat.

"Mn. I believe in you, Yibo." He smiled.

. . .

The days ticked by as fast as the drifting clouds. When Wang Yibo was back in the rehabilitation center, to his surprise everyone welcomed him whole heartedly.

His training begun and everyday he was taking one step at a time. Even though he was slow but he didn't feel discouraged as Xiao Zhan was always there to cheer him up.

"Realistically speaking, a month is too little. The shortest a patient stays here is from 3 to 4 months." Xiao Zhan said when they crossed the one-month mark. By then Wang Yibo could move his toes and the feet. His legs were still stiff but it wasn't unmoveable as before.

"Just say, you want me and I'll stay for as long as you want." Wang Yibo said with a smug face.

"Wang Yibo, look at you. Since when did you become so frisky?" Xiao Zhan shook his head in disbelief. It's good that he has opened up to him. But his kittenish tone is too much for his heart.

If before Wang Yibo felt his presence natural to him, now, it felt as if they were never apart. Like the two pieces of puzzles only meant for each other. And the growing fondness in his heart, made him impossible to hold back.

But his heart grew only greedy.

"Zhan-ge have you ever had a lover before? What is your type?" Though Wang Yibo kept a calm front. His heart was thumping in his chest.

Someone as kind as Xiao Zhan, would he have gender preference?

"What's with all these questions eh? Did you find a potential partner for me?" Xiao Zhan joked. He had noticed that Wang Yibo would tease him every now and then, he would joke about in flirty tone but little did he know that the other person was dead serious.

"I have, Zhan-ge."

"What really?" Xiao Zhan looked at the younger, mused. "I'd like to see who you have found." Xiao Zhan played along, entertaining the youngster.

"You're looking right at him." Wang Yibo braved on.

"Huh?" Xiao Zhan looked at him puzzled. There was a moment of silence. The two were sternly looking into each other's eyes as if waiting for who would break the silence first.

"Pfft – Hahahahaha! Oh my God, Yibo. I almost thought you were serious." Xiao Zhan laughed holding his stomach. Xiao Zhan almost forgot that Wang Yibo was still a teenager. Kids that age, liked to make such jokes.

"But I am!" Wang Yibo declared.

"Alright, Alright. Now lets get you your medicine." Xiao Zhan waved it aside and went to get his medicine.

"Open your mouth Kitty." Xiao Zhan said bringing the tablets.

Wang Yibo was hurt. His confession wasn't even considered.

He thinks I'm a kid!

Wang Yibo grabbed that wrist and pulled him over and before Xiao Zhan could cut lose, his lips were captured with the other pair.

A soft sensual touch.

What?! What?! What?! What?!

Xiao Zhan pulled him away and almost fell from the bed, but Wang Yibo was quick to hold his wrist again to keep him from getting hurt.

Their eyes met and Xiao Zhan could now spot the redness on those earlobes. He was sure, his face wouldn't be any different.

The expression Wang Yibo carried, it wasn't something a kid could pull off.

Hot steam escaped his ears, Xiao Zhan broke free and stood up.

"I-I...it's time for me to go. M-make sure you take your medicine." Xiao Zhan stuttered and fled the room.

The spring was upon them.

- - -

Sorry for errors and thank you for reading.