1992

What is to be happy?
To live with the person you love, to wake up to that person's smiling face, to be able to see that person throughout the day, to be able to sleep peacefully in that person's warm embrace, to be loved and cared by that person, to give all your love to that person. That's one of the many definitions of happiness.

Zhan and Yibo had acquired that kind of happiness. They were happy, indeed they were very happy.

They had decided not to care about the future, but still, that fear had never left them. They didn't used to speak it out aloud or make it obvious, they hid it to themselves.

The constant fear of losing Zhan was being more intense these past few days. Yibo was afraid. He was very much afraid. Yibo isn't Yibo without his Zhan. The fear of losing Zhan was eating him alive.

That was when Yibo came up with a plan. A plan to face the destiny. A plan to make Zhan his, legally.

August 3rd, 1992

"Zhan... " Yibo back hugged Zhan, who was busy preparing breakfast for them in the kitchen.

"Yes, baby... " Zhan leaned back against Yibo's chest.

"I think I'll be home a bit late today. " Yibo said as he nuzzled his face against Zhan's neck.

"Why? " Zhan asked.

"I have a few extra work assigned. So, I need to complete them as early as possible. " Yibo said.

"Okay. But come home as soon as you can. I'll be waiting for you. " Zhan said as he turned around and pecked Yibo's lips.

"Yes, baby... " Yibo said as he kissed Zhan passionately.

They had breakfast together and Yibo left for work.

Zhan went back to doing household chores and then painting.

Yibo finished his work early that day and he straight away went to Yanli's house. He had lied to Zhan in the morning saying that he had extra work.

He knocked on the door and Yanli opened it for him.

"Come in, Yibo. " Yanli said with a smile.

"Hi, Yibo. " Yuchen who was sitting on the couch, stood up to welcome Yibo.

Yibo sat on the couch next to Yuchen and Yanli took her seat on the chair next to the couch.

"So, what do you want to speak about, Yibo? " Yanli asked.

"Jie... I actually want to... " Yibo trailed.

"That's fine. Tell us what it is. " Yuchen said.

"I want to ask Zhan's hand in marriage. " Yibo slightly blushed.

"What? " Yanli asked in an excited tone as a wide smile arose on her face.

"Yes, Jie. I want to propose him. " Yibo said with a shy smile.

"That's great, Yibo! " Yuchen exclaimed.

"When are you going to propose him? " Yanli asked.

"The day after tomorrow, on August 5th. " Yibo said.

"Wait! You're gonna propose him on your birthday? " Yanli asked.

"Yes, Jie. He's the one who gave me a new life. He's the one who filled my life with love. So I want to propose him on my birthday. " Yibo said and both Yanli and Yuchen smiled at him.

"So, what's the plan? " Yuchen asked.

"Everything is planned. " Yibo said.
"I'll propose right where I found him. " Yibo said and Yanli nodded with a smile as she knew what he meant.

"I'm very happy, Yibo. " Yanli said.

"Do tell us if you need any help. " Yuchen said.

"Sure, Yuchen. Thanks. " Yibo said.
"Jie, Yuchen, please come there by 6 in the evening on 5th. I'll be waiting for you guys. " Yibo said.

"Sure, Yibo. " Yanli said.

"But, go where? Won't you tell us the address? " Yuchen asked.

"I know the place, I'll take you there. " Yanli chuckled.

"I'll get going, Jie. Zhan will be waiting for me. " Yibo said as he stood up.

Yanli and Yuchen walked him to the door and bid him farewell.

"I'm very happy for them. " Yuchen said.

"Me too. " Yanli said but she was also feeling quite worried because of some unknown reason.

Yibo soon went back home and was welcomed by Zhan's warm hug, as usual.

"Had dinner? " Yibo asked as he pecked Zhan's lips.

"No, I was waiting for you. Freshen up and come soon. I'll serve dinner. " Zhan said as he kissed Yibo's cheeks.

"I'll come back soon. " Yibo said as he kissed Zhan's forehead and walked towards their bedroom.

Zhan and Yibo had dinner and retired to bed together.

Yibo's hand and chest was Zhan's pillow and Yibo's heart beat was Zhan's lullaby. He drifted to sleep as soon as he was wrapped in Yibo's warm embrace.

"Just one more day, Zhan. I'm waiting to see how you react. " Yibo chuckled as he kissed Zhan's head and drifted to sleep.

August 4th, 1992

Zhan stirred in sleep as he felt warm soft lips on his. A small smile arose on Zhan's face as he kissed back those lips without opening his eyes.

"Wake up... " Yibo whispered in Zhan's ear as he nibbled Zhan's ear tip.
Zhan moaned as he pulled Yibo closer.

Yibo sucked and licked Zhan's neck and he left a trail of kisses from his neck to his jawline and every other place that exposed Zhan's smooth skin.

They had a quick make out session. Yibo then carried Zhan to the bathroom so that they can have a quick shower.

"Zhan... I'll be coming home a bit late today... " Yibo said as he wiped Zhan's hair dry using a towel.

"Today also? " Zhan lifted his head to look at Yibo.

"Yes, this'll be the last time. I promise. " Yibo said as he knelt in front of Zhan, who was sitting on the bed.

"Okay... " Zhan said with a pout.

"It's the last time, baby. " Yibo said as he pecked Zhan's cute pouty lips.

"I'll be going out today. I have to meet my friends. " Zhan said.

"Who? " Yibo asked with a raised brow.

"You need not know. " Zhan stuck his tongue out. Yibo chuckled as he jumped on Zhan, peppering him with kisses.

"Yibo! Get up. I have to prepare breakfast. " Zhan said as he tried to push Yibo off him.

"My breakfast is right here, in front of my eyes. " Yibo said as he captured Zhan's lips and started a sensual kiss.

They had another session that morning before Yibo left for work.

Zhan quickly finished his household chores and went out to meet his friends.

Yibo finished his work early and went to Yanli's house. All his friends were also there, as they had all decided to meet there earlier.

"So, what's the plan? " Seungyoun asked as they settled on the couch.

"A-Zhan had come here today. " Yanli said.

"He met us too. " Wenhan said.

"Why? " Yibo asked with a raised brow.

"He was planning on throwing you a surprise birthday party. " Yuchen chuckled.

"What did you guys tell? " Yibo laughed.

"We said we were busy. " Sungjoo said.

"He was soo angry on all of us that he said he won't be speaking with us for another month. " Yixuan chuckled.

"Ah! I want to go home and hug him already. " Yibo said.

"Okay, lover boy! So, what's the plan? " Yanli chuckled.

"We'll all be there at that street where I first met him. Seungyoun, it's your duty to bring him there. " Yibo said.

"Yes, captain! " Sengyoun said and everyone laughed.

They spent the evening discussing about Yibo's proposal plan.

"Okay, it's settled then. I'll meet you guys tomorrow. I'll get going now. Zhan will be waiting for me. " Yibo said as he got up and bid his farewell to his friends, Yanli and Yuchen.

Yibo went back home as quickly as he could and knocked on the door.

The door was soon opened by a pouty, sulky Zhan.

"What happened to my baby? " Yibo asked as he back hugged Zhan.

"Nothing... " Zhan sighed.

"How did the meeting with your friends go? Enjoyed? " Yibo asked as he hid his face in the crook of Zhan's neck to hide his laughter.

"Fuck them! " Zhan cursed and Yibo couldn't supress his laughter anymore.

"Why are you laughing? " Zhan turned around to face Yibo.

"Why did you curse them? " Yibo asked pulling Zhan closer by his waist.

"They are all soo useless. " Zhan said.

"Who are they? Let me scold them for spoiling my Zhan's mood. " Yibo said.

"No thanks. Go freshen up and come for dinner. I'm hungry. " Zhan said as he freed himself from Yibo's grip and headed towards the kitchen.

They soon finished their dinner and retired to bed.

Zhan rested his head on Yibo's chest as Yibo wrapped him in his embrace.

"Are you feeling bad? " Yibo asked as he pulled Zhan closer.

"I was... But not anymore. " Zhan said nuzzling his face against Yibo's chest.

"Zhan... I love you... " Yibo said.

"Mm. " Zhan said.

"Just 'mm'? " Yibo asked.

"No... Wait! " Zhan said as he got up and pulled Yibo to sit up too.

"What, Zhan? " Yibo asked.

Zhan looked at the clock and then smiled.

"10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1! "
"Happy birthday, Yibo! " Zhan hugged Yibo tight.
"I love you sooooo much. "
Zhan kissed Yibo's lips.

"Thank you sooo much, love! " Yibo said hugging Zhan tight.
"I love you soooo much, Zhan. " Yibo said as tears filled his eyes.

Zhan kissed Yibo's tears away as he softly caressed his cheeks looking into his eyes.

"Let's sleep now. There's soo much to do tomorrow. " Zhan said as he kissed Yibo's forehead.

"Mm. " Yibo said as he pulled Zhan in his embrace.

'Yes, Zhan. There's soo much to do tomorrow. Tomorrow... Is the day of my dreams... The day you'll be called my fiance. Let's sleep just like this tomorrow night, discussing about our wedding venue and all the other preparations. ' Yibo thought as he kissed Zhan's head and soon drifted to sleep.

August 5th, 1992

"Wake up, baby boy... " Zhan whispered in Yibo's ear.

Yibo stirred in his sleep as he pulled Zhan closer. He slowly opened his eyes to see his world smiling in front of him.

"Wish you happy birthday, love. " Zhan pecked Yibo's lips.

"Thank you soo much, baby. " Yibo said as he started a deep, passionate kiss.

"Let's get a shower now. " Yibo said as he broke the kiss and carried Zhan to the bathroom.

They both got ready and Zhan quickly prepared a delicious breakfast, while Yibo kept back hugging him all the while.

"Yibo, come home soon today. I'll be waiting for you. " Zhan said as they had their breakfast.

"Okay." Yibo said.

'Come to me soon, Zhan. I'll be waiting for you. ' Yibo thought as he smiled looking at Zhan's face.

"I'll get going, Zhan. " Yibo said as he got up to leave for work.

"I'll be waiting for you. " Zhan said as he kissed Yibo's lips.

'I'll be waiting for you. ' Yibo thought as he kissed Zhan back.

As soon as Yibo left, Zhan busied himself as he started decorating the house with flowers, ribbons, balloons and candles. He then baked a cake and decorated it according to Yibo's taste.

It was almost 5 in the evening when Zhan finished all his decoration works.

"Ah! Guess it looks good. " Zhan thought as he examined his house.

"Let me get ready before Yibo comes. " Saying so Zhan went to his bedroom to get ready.

"Perfect! " Zhan said as he checked himself in the mirror.

It was around 5:45 in the evening when Zhan heard a knock on his door.
Zhan was very excited as he thought it was Yibo. He ran towards the door but the disappointment in his face was evident when he noticed that it wasn't the person he was expecting.

"What do you want? " Zhan said as he glared at Seungyoun who was standing at the door step.

"Zhan! You need to come with me. " Seungyoun said in a worried tone.

"Why? What's wrong? " Zhan panicked. His heart started drumming hard against his chest.

"You'll know, Zhan. Come soon. " Seungyoun said as he dragged Zhan out of the house.

They both ran towards an unknown destination and it didn't take much time for Zhan to recognize those roads.

"Why are we going near the University? " Zhan asked as he followed Seungyoun.

"Well, it's because.... " Seungyoun trailed off as they walked to the corner of a street.
"This is where he met you for the first time. " Seungyoun said looking at the other side of the street. Zhan followed Seungyoun' gaze and that's when his heart started thumping even harder.

There, on the other side of the street, in front of the book house which had replaced the cafe from the other world, stood the love of Zhan's life.

Yibo stood there, surrounded by people holding red heart balloons on one side and a band playing a love song on the other.

Yibo's eyes locked with Zhan's and a wide smile which spoke thousands of emotions arose on both their faces.

Zhan's vision became blurry as tears flooded his eyes. His heart raced and he felt ecstatic.

"Go, claim your man and make him yours officially. " Seungyoun said.

Zhan nodded with a smile as a tear rolled down his cheek.

He slowly walked forward, his eyes not leaving Yibo's face even for a second. Yibo too slowly walked towards Zhan, his eyes stuck on Zhan's face.

'Just 10 more steps, come to me soon, Zhan. ' Yibo thought as he stood at the end of the street waiting for his man to walk to him.

Zhan gave a low happy chuckle as he walked towards Yibo with a smile on his face.

"A-Zhan! No!!!!!!! " Yanli shouted as the others panicked and ran towards Zhan.

Both Zhan and Yibo felt confused and that was when a loud honk was heard right next to Zhan's ears. Zhan turned towards the source of the noise and his eyes were blinded by the bright flash of light.

"Zhan! " Yibo shouted as he ran towards Zhan but... He was too late.

Zhan shut his eyes tight as a sharp pain was felt in his legs and his head spun. His body felt light and he felt as if he was flying until his body smashed on the hard ground with a loud thud. He felt numb, his eyes felt heavy, his ears went deaf and he couldn't utter a word.

Zhan tried to open his eyes, all he could see was a blurry image of Yibo running towards him with a tear stained face. And the next thing he saw was Yibo kneeling next to him and trying to lift him up and embracing him, yet he didn't feel Yibo's warmth.

"Zhan! Zhan... No... Zhan... Please don't... Zhan... Don't leave me... Wait for me... Call the ambulance! Someone help! Zhan... Do you hear me? Zhan... Please speak something... Zhan... Don't leave me... I'm sorry... Zhan... " Yibo said in between his sobs and he breathed heavily as river of tears flowed down his eyes.

But... Zhan couldn't hear anything. He could only see his heartbroken boyfriend, who was smiling wide just moments ago.

Zhan tried to lift his hand but he failed. He applied all the strength that's left in his body and raised his blood stained, shaky hand and caressed Yibo's cheeks, wiping his tear away.

"Re... Reme... Remember... " Zhan tried to speak.

"Rem... Remember you... your... promise.... Yibo... " With that said Zhan's hand fell off Yibo's cheeks as darkness engulfed Zhan's senses.

"Doctor! Doctor! "

"We're losing him! "

"He's having an arrest! "

"We need to do an ACLS! "
"Right now! "

"Oxygen! More oxygen! "

"Xiao Zhan! Can you hear? Stay with us! Xiao Zhan! "

"150 joules! Charge! "

"No! We're losing him. "

"Apply pressure on his heart! "

"200 joules! Charge! "