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“Ughhh” Jingyi grumbled as he clutches at the shawl laid on top of his face, it was decorated by a tribal design gifted to him by Sizhui when he and his family returned from a vacation somewhere in some island, it wasn’t really surprising since one of his fathers were really adventurous. “I feel like shit” he groaned then slightly removes the cloth to be greeted by his travelling companion’s sympathetic smile while slightly pausing from his meal. Thankfully, they were in a shade so his surroundings weren’t that heavy to take in, the warm light was rather a luxury to him at the moment.
“Well the air is rather thin in this area, so it was not really a smart move to race down here” the other replied sympathizing with his companion’s condition.
“Sizhui” the laying young man whined “How are you still okay?” he closes his eyes to subdue his current condition but was still feeling dizzy, curse him to being so excited but he can’t help it.
“You got altitude sickness so just lay there, if you move you’ll just get more sick” Shizhui said while looking at his friend who got defeated by nature due to being enthusiastic at their early run, he hid a chuckle finding irony at their current situation.
“I know but” he opened his eyes then looks at the other across him “it’s rather exciting since our first overseas vacation” together, Jingyi gushed happily as his eyes showed mirth and smiled widely, receiving a gentle smile from the other.
“You’re right” Sizhui replied “It’s rather exciting”
It was a gift from both of their parents since both of them graduated college, even if one of them still had a doctorate to fulfill. Both of Jingyi’s parents were a bit skeptical of letting him go to a foreign country but when they heard that Sizhui was to be his potential travelling companion they readily agreed since they trusted the young man to not let their son die or come back in one piece during the vacation which made Jingyi a bit upset but was completely forgotten once they’re trip was approved and finalized. They were sent off by Sizhui’s fathers who gave them a lift to the airport since Jingyi’s parents were going to a business trip but still sent the boy off to Sizhui’s residence reminding him to behave. They arrived at their destination without problem, now all is left is to enjoy right?
“I guess” that would be the response that Jingyi wishes he could truthfully say. It was really fun travelling with your childhood friend since birth but it will be a more complicated situation if one of you has feelings for the other. And in this situation Jingyi was sure that he has those feelings, regrettably he’s been in love with the young man for quite some time but choose to not voice out his feelings fearing that they’re relationship might fall apart. It was better this way, being friends was enough for him as long as he was on Sizhui’s side, his feelings can stay in the depths of darkness, Sizhui was smiling with him and that was enough. Right?
“I love you” the woman said to the man as he embraced, it was a scene in a drama that his mom watched and young Jingyi was curious. I love you, words used for affection, at least that’s how the young Jingyi understood it, watching those dramas he could guess what the statement meant or at least the gist of it. You say “I love you to the people you like” his mom explained when he asked her one day and pretty sure enough he could think of people that he could say “I love you” to and that included one childhood friend. I love you is such a non-complex three worded sentence, it was pretty much easy to say it or even carelessly slip up those three words to anyone but why did Jingyi have a hard time saying it to ‘him’ throughout the years? That every time he wanted to breathe out those words an elephant would weigh down his chest making him unable to properly breathe and making his heart palpitations increase—it was almost like a curse.
Maybe it’s because he once did say it to Sizhui when they were still kids during recess and as the angel his bestfriend is smiled but before he could reply to Jingyi a female classmate of them said that “You can’t do that” she says with a reprimanding tone “That’s disgusting”. Jingyi wanted to retort but unfortunately, the teacher called them in because their break was over and he couldn’t careless because Sizhui was pulling him by hand to go inside the classroom. And so he forgot what the girl said setting it aside as a problem to solve someday or so he thought he did.
Back then his understanding of “I love you” was rather shallow, he knew that you say it to the people you like and Jingyi liked Sizhui, so he can say “I love you” to him right?
Currently, they were in the Capital of Bolivia, La Paz and once Lan Jingyi’s altitude sickness was gone, they began to explore the city. The ride on the tram was really amazing because you can see the city and the houses tradition and modernization perfectly harmonizing, the view was really amazing because Jingyi was gaping the whole the ride, his camera snapping photos meanwhile Sizhui could only fondly smile without his friend noticing because of the attraction present. Once the ride was finished, they made their way to the well-known witches market while passing through the painted walls of the streets, both of them seem to realize the majority of Llamas are present in stores and walls in the city.
Just earlier, both of them got lucky enough to make cheap reservations for a night bus that was going to leave tomorrow evening, all was achieved because of Sizhui’s advanced thinking to learn some simple Spanish sentences such as looking for the terminal in which Jingyi can only say begrudgingly that “whoever said that English was an international language was wrong” he angrily huffed. After checking in their bags they began to stroll the city with no particular destination, Jingyi was feeling a bit fidgety so he was a bit of bouncing around in which Sizhui reprimanded him to slow down because he may get himself hurt because of the camera dangling on his neck.
“It’s not like it gonna roundhouse kick me” Jingyi cheekily replied “And besides I don’t want to waste any memories” Jingyi said as he quickly snapped a pic at his unguarded companion, which only made Sizhui signed.
When they arrived at the market it was full of souvenirs and materials such as talismans, potions and clothing, each of one related to the culture of the place, it really lives up to its name looking like a modernized witches’ den. It was really interesting because the locals believe that some of these potions can bewitch one’s morals and mind.
Inside a store, both men found their way to all the weird and foreign sections such as the potion section wherein a local cholita’s explains to them that those potions have magical abilities such as for example to make someone fall in love.
“Look Sizhui, a love potion” Jingyi jokingly takes the bottle and shows it to the other “Now you can snare any maiden” he says teasing.
“I think that won’t work” Shizhui says with a nervous smile on his face.
“Yeah, you’re right because you have ensnared all of the maidens” Jingyi laughs, it was the truth though everyone likes Sizhui may it be a maiden or a gentlemen, he is just irresistible, I mean with that kind of face and personality you could say he is a jackpot and unfortunately Jingyi was one of those who was ensnared, he waves off the thought “Maybe I should give it to the Young Mistress so he can have someone” Sizhui laughs a bit at the joke.
After scanning the bottle he finally putting back the potion to its former location, when they exit the store Jingyi says “Maybe I should’ve bought the potion for myself?” his voice obviously indicating that he was joking.
“I don’t think you’ll need it” Sizhui remarks, almost solemnly but that could just be Jingyi’s thoughts.
Jingyi pauses “I doubt that” he muttered and before the other could respond something caught Jingyi’s eyes immediately rushing to the distraction and Sizhui just followed him.
Walking on this part of town was rather relaxing because surprisingly it was pretty quiet except of course of the white noise of the people in the background. Both of them marveled at the local stalls, the designs displayed in the market, and marveled at the lively colors. In one instance when they wandered at Sagarnarga Street they tried on ponchos in which Jingyi gleefully took pictures of, even trying on hats that were too small to fit but had a great influence in Bolivia’s fashion.
At the current moment, Jingyi was waiting for Sizhui to come back at a restaurant because he said that he had to buy something. Jingyi already ordered food and it has yet to arrive so he busied himself by looking at the pictures they had taken, he smiled while amusing himself with all the silly antics they did from watching witchcraft items like potions and sacrificial llamas to them wearing ponchos and little hats. So far everything was going really well, he signed.
He turned to the view outside seeing locals and tourists all together, Jingyi would deny the fact that he stared too much at the couples passing by, holding hands and kissing their love, how nice would it be. He was too immersed when he didn’t notice that his friend already came back.
“Hey, what are you spacing out for?” Sizhui asked as he sat across Jingyi.
Jingyi snapped out of his sightseeing and just replied with “It must be the hunger taking over”, whilst the other young man chuckled Jingyi’s gaze turned to the small brown paper bag Sizhui returned with “What’s that?” he asks beaming at the bag.
Sizhui looked at the bag “Oh, it’s nothing just a souvenir” he says smoothly dismissing suspicion.
As soon as the food arrived Jingyi dropped the question of what’s inside the bag because his stomach was really throwing a tantrum. It could just be a keychain or something.
After finishing lunch, someone recommended them to visit the valley of the moon, which was a twenty-minute ride from the city and when they arrived they were greeted by beautiful rock arrangements, locals seem to made a pathway through the area where visitors can navigate, so the pair strolled and enjoyed the view, Jingyi still holding on his promise of capturing their memories.
“It really is amazing here” Jingyi marvels as he looks at his camera’s gallery viewing his previous shots.
When they were going to a bit higher site Sizhui calls on him to be more careful because they were climbing up but instead of ending it with that he reaches out his hand to Jingyi who was momentarily frozen but still took the hand no less which guided him to the path, he felt weightless.
Normally he’s supposed to not care so much about the gesture because when they were kids it wouldn’t bother him since they did it casually but as he got older it felt a lot different, he started having butterflies fluttering wildly on his stomach and he wouldn’t admit that he liked this, holding his friend’s soft yet firm hands but he didn’t want to make things awkward so he bottled it up hoping his thoughts, hoping it wouldn’t spill through his mouth so at the moment he can only involuntarily gripped a little tighter.
He let Sizhui lead him the way, deep inside Jingyi was jealous of Sizhui for not caring too much about the simple sign of affection but he can’t help it. It was a later then when there small journey stopped, they reached one of the highest points in the valley and perhaps it was because of the sun setting everything seemed peaceful. He snapped into reality when Sizhui called out to him “A-Yi, give me the camera” he said.
That nickname.
Jingyi could only give him the camera and before he could ask anything “Smile for me” Sizhui says.
And Jingyi who was a bit taken a back could only smile a bit awkwardly that but none the less genuine. The camera clicked “I believe A-Yi can do better” the other teases “I was not informed that this would be a photoshoot” Jingyi replied but still pulled up a wide happy grin that made his eyes crinkle. Another snap.
Sizhui then takes a look at the shoots and then silence, “Hey, you could just say that the pictures turned out ugly” he says, a bit concerned if he really looked like shit in the photo.
“They’re beautiful” Sizhui immediately exclaimed which was a bit of a mumble so Jingyi thought he heard him wrong making him say “You can’t be ser—“ but was then cut off by Sizhui “They’re beautiful, A-Yi” he says sincerely then smiles at Jingyi, that smiled that gave him hopes as well as nightmares, that smile which can make him feel like he’s on cloud nine, oh that smile that successfully makes his heart skip every time without fail, that damn smile that made him sink into the rabbit hole of loving one-sidedly and he loved it very much.
He then feels his cheeks burning and immediately turning away muttering “Stupid” underneath, instead of reassuring him that those photos were fine, Lan fricking Sizhui just had to make Jingyi dig his own grave. In a fit of mild embarrassment because of his burning face he then immediately tries to leave his friend who just followed him while calling out his name. When Sizhui reaches him and sees his state, the lovable bastard decided to tease him and with a sheepish smile he asks “Is A-Yi embarrassed?”
This little devil. Jingyi just makes his way out of the valley with Sizhui trailing after him saying that he’s sorry but Jingyi can’t face him right now, not because he was angry but because of how he was pathetically affected by Sizhui’s words and smile, it wasn’t really good for his heart.
If I’m going to fall for you at least promise to catch me. He shouted in his thoughts.
They were in elementary when Jingyi had this great idea to try on the higher and obviously more risky monkey bars because some runts said that he was too small to do the big boy stuff in which fueled Jingyi’s determination to prove them wrong and so he tried to climb the bars. Sizhui warned him not to do it because it probably dangerous and he could get hurt but young Jingyi didn’t listened because he was too excited to prove those boys wrong but once he reached the middle of the bars he realized that it was too high for him, at least that’s how he felt, when he looked down he was a bit shaken and maybe that caused him to froze in the middle of the bars. “Are you alright?” Shizui asked him.
“Ye-yeah” he shakily replied, closing and opening his eyes, he then tried with all his might to grab the next bar but maybe his grip wasn’t that hard or his palms were sweaty but regardless his hands slipped and in that moment everything went into a flash because the next thing he knew was that falling and a loud crash, his face kissed the ground, he was shocked. Sizhui then immediately went to his side and tried to comfort him because of the possible pain he was about to experience. He probably (he did) cried at that time, his knees, forehead, and chin hurt, he might have a small bruise, Sizhui then apologized to not having him catch him. On that afternoon, he was carried by Sizhui on his back saying that he felt bad for letting that happened and then promised that when he falls next time he will sure catch Jingyi no matter what.
Maybe that was a stupid time to say something but Jingyi wanted to say “I love you” or something but he couldn’t bring himself to so he just buried his face on Sizhui’s back and quietly sobbed, mostly because of the injuries he reasoned.
Their day ended with a meal in a restaurant, which was near the hotel they were staying in, they enjoyed the meal and by this time both of them has settled from the previous escapade.
“Their food is really good, especially the chicken” Jingyi enthusiastically said as he took another bite.
“You love anything with chicken in it” Sizhui remarked when Jingyi only replied with him childishly sticking out his tongue.
“Of course! Chicken is the best” he exclaims as a matter-of-factly.
After they finished their meal they took a stroll at a nearby water fountain which was light by some dim light from lanterns and fairy lights, that evening it seems something was happening and as they approach the fountain closer a man kneels on one knee and the woman was covering her mouth in joy and disbelief. It was a proposal.
As soon as the man dropped the big question “Will you marry me?” as he flashes the ring in front of her his face looking at the woman with hope and everyone rejoiced as she replies with a “Yes”. They kissed and everyone clapped and cheered at the successful proposal. After that exciting moment, everyone dispersed, some congratulating the newly engaged.
As they were strolling Jingyi thoughts drift off.
It was probably around high school during valentines day, around that time of course many gifted Sizhui, from chocolate, letters and flowers. Jingyi didn’t know what got on his head when he made chocolate and he had a hard time admitting that it was for Sizhui.
“So are you gonna give it to him or not” Jin Ling teased, the young mistress knows the distress Jingyi has been having and seems to like seeing him suffer.
“Who said that it’s for him” he counters.
“Who else? I’m pretty sure you only got eyes on him”
And so they began to argue.
‘As soon as classes end, i‘ll give it to him then say that mom made chocolate so all well be fine’ he thinks then proceeds to find Sizhui in the Student council office but Zizhen say that he wasn’t there and maybe was in the library which was up above a floor , so Jingyi began his search and it ended when he heard voices in the staircase.
“You’re really amazing and I’ve liked you for a long time” a voice which seems to belong to a girl says, voice painfully shy and Jingyi halting his movements and immediately thought of those dramas that includes a girl confessing to their crush “And I hope that we could go out, Sizhui”
Oh. Oh. Someone was confessing to Sizhui.
He couldn’t see them but when a familiar male voice spoke Jingyi knew it was him. He didn’t know what possessed him that day but he left that area immediately, he didn’t know why he did that maybe was trying to be polite because eavesdropping was wrong but deep down he knew he ran away because he was afraid what Sizhui was going to say. Jingyi should be happy right? He shouldn’t get hurt by something so trivial because this was Sizhui’s, his best friend's love life. Yet he didn’t know what possessed him that day to run out of school, he didn’t realize that he was still clutching on to the chocolate as he ran unto the rainy streets, what a cliché right? But Jingyi couldn’t careless, he ran until he got drained and maybe he was crying but he couldn’t tell it was probably just because he was wet from the rain but deep down he knew that he was crying because his heart felt like breaking.
If he said I love you first would Sizhui only look at him? Because at this point Jingyi only wanted to say it to him, that three little worlds trapped in his throat when he sees Sizhui happy. He wanted to say “I love you” but he couldn’t because every time he wanted to say those world shards of glass would pierce through him, it was so simple yet why did he have a hard time saying it to him.
Someday Sizhui will have someone to do that with, someone to marry, to have kids with and to spend his lifetime with and sadly it couldn’t be Jingyi, it couldn’t be him. Somehow even after many times he accepted this reality his heart felt like it was going to shatter. Nights when he thinks that Sizhui will be smiling looking at his future spouse at their wedding day and Jingyi will be there to his friend happy, to support his decision and to see his future half. That day will be bright, vibrant and happy, he can imagine the joy when his friend kisses his half on the altar and Jingyi would be there, smiling and clapping hoping the tears won’t come out running during the ceremony and after that, he can finally accept the reality that his best friend, Sizhui, will be with someone who is not him. It hurts to think about it, it breaks him but he can do anything, endure anything as long as his friend was smiling because if he’s happy then he’s also happy and that should be enough, he shouldn’t be greedy.
And right now he is questioning the validity of his decisions.
“Sizhuiii” he slurred bear in hand and one propping his head looking at his friend with his vision almost splitting.
“Oh my god” Sizhui looked at his friend who was a bit tipsy “I told you, you can’t drink alcohol, half a bear and you’re already like this”
Jingyi could only giggle, beer tasted like shit but this was so much better than feeling his heart get bashed every second he is reminded of reality. So with his excuse that he’s already 20 “He can drink alcohol responsibly” with “I can take it” bullshit. He just finished half of the bear and he was already dizzy and tipsy, Sizhui warned him but he didn’t listen countering with what could go wrong statement.
When he forcefully finished the whole beer can he was convinced that he was having a dream, having no control over what he does and says.
His gaze lands on Sizhui “What a pretty fairy” Jingyi drunkenly says as he stands up and sits beside Sizhui then laying his head on the other’s shoulder who seemed to have found a comfortable position.
“C’mon Jingyi, you need to sleep on the bed” Sizhui says as he tries to gently push drunk Jingyi.
“Noooooo” the other drawled “You can’t leave me fairy” he says with slight panic and shocks the other when he straddles the fairy, practically propping himself on Sizhui’s lap. “I can’t let the fairy escape” says his drunken state the he giggles as he stroked Sizhuis hair finding it an outlet for his entertainment muttering “so soft” as he marveled at the way it feels, it seems that this was his plan to not let the other escape.
Sizhui just signed, thinking that drunk Jingyi was adorable but it didn’t stir him from his objective to get Jingyi’s drunk ass to bed. He knew what Jingyi was capable of doing when the young man got drunk, in 20 years of Jingyi’s life he only touched alcohol for only 3 times this one included and successfully gets drunk every time, all witnessed by Sizhui and of course also took care of Jingyi, to make sure that he didn’t cling to other strange people or sleep in a safe bed and wake up in the morning in one piece.
He placed his hands on Jingyi’s hips to attempt his plan in separating him from Jingyi’s touch “Jingyi, it’s time to sleep and you need to go to bed” he attempts to coax his drunk friend.
“Nooooo” he says “If I do that then fairy will be gone” he then pouts. He laughs a bit at the fairy Jingyi’s drunk antics.
“But you have to sleep” Sizhui tries to convince him “Fairy won’t be gone” he reassures.
Jingyi seems to think, brows furrowing trying to concentrate on the given “No” he says childishly which Sizhui can only sigh.
He turns to a determined drunk Jingyi at keeping his fairy from disappearing, “A-Yi, you have to be good” he says “Otherwise the fairy will be mad”
“Mad?” Jingyi whispers then his pout gets even more deeper “But I don’t want fairy to be mad” he says sadly “Fairy’s always happy”.
“Then be good and go to bed, please? A-Yi?” he asks gently, preparing to stand up if the other is convinced.
“Fine, A-Yi will sleep but only with fairy” he says then proceeds to cling to Sizhui, burying his head to Sizhui’s shoulder, both his arms hugging on the neck and both his legs locks Sizhui’s waist, effectively gluing him to the other.
“I wish Fairy could love me because fairy is sooo pretty” Jingyi sleepily drawls as he buries himself to the other’s shoulder and then passes out onto Sizhui who can only fondly sigh and gently pat Jingyi’s back. He feels the other softly snoring on his shoulder.
After a moment, he readies himself to stand supporting him and the 168 centimeters baby clinging on him which was no easy feat even after those nights on the gym but somehow he managed to carry Jingyi to his bed and carefully laid him to bed gently detaching the other from him.
“Fairy stayyy” Jingyi sleepily mutters as he clutches Sizhui’s shirt.
“Don’t worry, Fairy won’t leave you” he whispers softly and that seems to loosen Jingyi’s grip while his brows relaxed. After successfully separating him from a drunken Jingyi, Sizhui just glances at his sleeping traveling companion as the other soft snores before going to the bathroom.
When morning comes, Jingyi knew from the moment he woke up that he probably screwed up. He can’t fathom the idea that he got drunk just by consuming one can of beer, damn his genetics. His head was throbbing, he groggily sits up and tries to collect himself. He couldn’t remember anything from last night, all he knew that he finished a beer and that’s it, oh god he didn’t say anything stupid did he? He ponders more but everything was hazy and he just disregards what happened last night, it couldn’t be that bad right?
The door opens revealing Sizhui with a plastic bag “Good Morning, how’s the hangover? You said you could handle the beer right?” Sizhui says as Jingyi grumbles, his friend sounded amused.
“Fine, fine, I admit that I suck at controlling my alcohol tolerance” Jingyi says defeated “Anyway did something happened last night?” he asks, looking at his phone indicating that it was already around nine o'clock in the morning.
“Well, nothing much really happened” Sizhui said dismissingly as he hand’s Jingyi medicine and some water, which was probably for the hangover.
“Are you sure?” Jingyi confirms then proceeds to drink the medicine.
“Well nothing much except when you called me a fairy” Sizhui says almost nonchalantly.
Jingyi was lucky he had already swallowed the pill when he heard that sentence because he might have choked and died, “I did what?” he gasps then coughs a bit.
“Don’t worry about it, it wasn’t much of a big deal” the other reassures “You should eat something, foods on the table” Sizhui says as he goes to his luggage, tidying up because they were gonna leave later in the evening.
“Oh my god” Jingyi buries his face onto is hands cursing to never alcohol again because right now he feels that Sizhui is hiding something from him and is laughing his ass off because he’s the only one that knows of the things Jingyi does when drunk.
The bus left at around quarter to ten in the evening, both Jingyi and Sizhui agreed to travel cheaper so that they can still have money to spend on some luxuries. So now settled comfortably in their seats even if the road was bumpy they were still glad that they got this ride. It was cheap so they’re prepared for dimly lighted roads basically in the middle of nowhere, no nearby towns and lacking signs, both of them would agree that this was much better than boarding the plan. With earphones on his ears Jingyi gazed at the road they were traveling in, the absence of light made the stars stand out, he was fully immersed in the view because it was so serene and beautiful combining it with soft music it was heaven. He glanced at the sleeping figure beside him who was resting his head on Jingyi’s shoulder, he looked peaceful, Jingyi admired.
His gaze faltered when they encountered a bump in the road which slightly made the bus stir but still managed to wake up some of those who were sleeping and one of them was Sizhui. Jingyi didn’t know why but he continued to stare at his friend that returned the gaze.
“You should sleep more” Jingyi says ushering the other to sleep once more.
Sizhui hummed “You should sleep to” he sleepily says scooting closer finding a more comfortable position but still resting his head on Jingyi’s shoulder.
When the other stills Jingyi then proceeds to look outside the view, they were still in the middle of nowhere.
“It’s amazing outside” a hushed voice said next to Jingyi.
He turned to the source of the voice which belonged to his traveling companion looking outside, amazed at the view still a bit sleepy.
He turns to where Sizhui was looking at “It really is” Jingyi agrees then it was silence, pleasant silence, in the middle of nowhere where darkness engulfed the area and only the stars shone brightly as no other light rivaled them. You can look at it for hours and still be dazed.
“Go back to sleep” Jingyi says.
“Only if you sleep too” Sizhui says as he settles on Jingyi’s shoulder “You’ll be grumpy if you don’t receive enough sleep” there was almost a teasing tone and instead of retorting Jingyi could only softly smile and lightly lay his head on the other’s head and let the rumbling of the bus and his music lull him to sleep oddly enough he found the moment peaceful.
It was during college when him and Sizhui got included in a mixer of some sort, basically meeting new people with underlying intentions such as to date them. Don’t misunderstand Jingyi but they were just dragged into this mess because Zizhen was desperate to have a date with A-Qing and apparently instead of asking her for a date he had to have a mixer afraid to mess things up and so Zizhen begged for them to attend this whole bonanza. You can’t resist because he was crying and kneeling, so both of them just agreed, and in the event Jingyi tried to be polite. Being hit on was rather expected in this situation and he could only watch as girls tried to capture Sizhui’s approval and attention while Jingyi can only look and stand by. Luckily, one of the girls were as well not interested in the whole mixer thing and was pretty much chill, she didn’t want to date she explains and so Jingyi then proceeds to befriend a fellow supportive friend, so that helped him pass time without talking much with Sizhui who was busy with the ladies, apparently, he was a bit famous in the campus so there’s that.
At one point they ended up in an aquarium which was really fascinating, the diverse kinds of species and the blue water reflecting was a view to take in. It was when Jingyi tried to find the bathroom and then got lost in the process, so he roomed the place his sense of direction was horrible, he eventually ended up in places that there were less visitors, Jingyi was mentally cursing at himself. He finally had the balls to reach out to his phone to maybe call for some help and since it was put on silent it had some messages and a call from Sizhui.
He replied to the text that read “Where are you?” which was from Sizhui with “I think I’m lost…hehe”
He looked at the place and it seemed that he was trapped in an underwater cave or tunnel, it was a bit of a narrow way with water and animals above him, it looked really nice and peaceful especially when there were only a few people, it was not that noisy.
He continued to marvel when his phone ringed, the caller “Sizhui”
He answered it “Heyyy, I guess I’m lost” he chuckled nervously.
“Where are you right now?” Sizhui asks with a small tone of concern.
“I don’t really know but I’m in a cave-like place, you know the one like a tunnel, the water over your head” he explains the best as he can.
“Don’t wander, I’ll pick you up, don’t go anywhere else, okay?” then the line ends.
Jingyi should’ve been used by this but there’s this small joy bubbling in his stomach and a small smile on his lips, Sizhui was going to look for him, so what’s the big deal about it? But Jingyi guiltily basks on the notion.
It was around five minutes when his phone rung once more coming from Sizhui he answers it “I think I’m near? Are you still on the same spot?”
“Yes, yes, I’m still here watching fishes pass by, and besides I might get myself lost again” he jokingly says.
“Well your sense of direction is rather always going on haywire”
“Hey don’t insult my sense of direction just because I get lost sometimes”
“Sometimes? Really, Jingyi?”
“Screw you”
The other line laughs.
“I guess I found the damsel in distress” Jingyi then looks to the where he hears steps and voices and in comes Sizhui, there was a jittery feeling in his throat and he tried to ignore it. He ends the call.
“Hello there prince charming” he teases.
Sizhui just chuckles approaching his lost friend “I didn’t expect that you’ll get lost by yourself at this age” he stands next to Jingyi briefly looking at the fishes swimming by.
“It’s genetics” he shrugs “So no girls following you around?”
“Well apparently the group ended when you got lost”
“Oh, so my disappearance has caused the halt in ladies pursuing Young Master Sizhui” Jingyi says teasing his friend.
“Frankly, I think you saved me” Sizhui says still looking at the aquarium “The damsel in distress saved me from further disasters”, he looks at Jingyi with a soft smile and he swears that his heart didn’t skip a beat. He could say that Sizhui was beautiful at the moment, blue light reflecting unto him and he looked like he was glowing and Jingyi could only watch as he tried not to spill anything unexpected.
“Then you are welcome, it’s my pleasure and honor of holding the prince captive”
Once again he had the feeling that he wanted to say something but words were trapped in his throat, he wanted to say those three words but he rejected his attempt for his mouth betrayed him. His chest felt heavy and his ears were ringing, he felt like combusting but he held it in. The place was peaceful to look at and maybe Jingyi was the only one having internal wars but nonetheless he tried to preserve this moment, so he watched Sizhui’s back when he stopped in the middle of tracks. The dread of feeling so far away from each other but you’re so close to was bothering Jingyi, his feelings towards his friend were giving that distance and no matter how far Jingyi stretches his hand out he couldn’t reach Sizhui, so he could only watch him from afar as at he stood in the same phase of one-sided love for years. He got himself trapped in that state, darkness surrounding him and a faint light he followed blindly that he knew he couldn’t reach even after chasing after it because the distance was too much. Jingyi wonders when will Sizhui find him in this abyss, maybe never? But there a voice that still hopes.
It was around seven when they finally arrive at their destination.
“Oh god, everything is so stiff” Jingyi says as he stretches his arms out feeling a bit refreshed of having to come out from the confined space of the bus.
Sizhui was swarmed with tour guides offering a ride throughout the road, luckily Sizhui found a tour guide who speaks English.
Before going to the trip, they tried to freshen up by having their hair washed by buying some cheap water bottles.
“Ah the water feels nice” Jingyi says as Sizhui pours the water until it runs out “That’s so much better” he says as he pushes back his hair”
Once Sizhui also did the same, they both changed clothes and finally got to the part where they meet there guide.
“Hey, I’m your guide, Luis” a middle-aged tanned man introduced, “I’ll put your luggage in the car” he offers.
Apparently, they were going to travel with a foreign couple, who was initially from Canada. Once they made sure that they were loaded up with water, they were off on their way.
The couple was very nice, they were on their 5th anniversary so wanted to travel in Bolivia “So what are you guys doing here?” the lady named Charel asked at the two boys “Vacationing?”
“Yeah, we just graduated” Sizhui replied with the best he could.
“Oh congratulations” Charel said.
They had the conversation going by sharing vacation escapades of their own, Charel and Michael always went vacationing when they had time because it was really good bonding time.
Their chatter was interrupted by Luis “Hey guys, take a look outside” he says “It’s the most amazing view” he beams.
And his enthusiastic remark wasn’t a disappointment, both Jingyi and Sizui looked at the window, the view certainly was stunning “Woah” Jingyi marveled, his eyes matching Sizhui who was enamored with what laid in front of them.
“It’s the Uyuni” Luis introduces the place enthusiastically.
Jingyi had his hands on the camera but was still enchanted by the Uyuni’s beauty, he looked at the place with amazement.
“Hey Jingyi, now might be a good time to take pictures” Sizhui says as he encouraged his friend.
Once the vehicle halted its movement, all of them got out with excitement. Jingyi begun to snap photos with Sizhui trailing behind him.
Luckily they arrived an after a rain shower so the salt flat was slightly filled with water making the optical illusion that the sky and ground were one, the salt flats seemed like a huge mirror reflecting the sky’s majestic wide expanse.
It was nearing sunset so the sky was colored by slight pink, yellow and cool blue. Either way it was still beautiful, the place was even better in real life than in pictures, Jingyi decides.
He continued to snap photos with Sizhui in it and the other could only smile and Jingyi loved it.
“Jingyi” the young man in the frame called
“What is it?” Jingyi asked as he continued to look for angles.
“I want to take a picture” Sizhui reaches out and why would Jingyi resist? “Wait, wait” he says as he removes the strap carefully so his shawl wouldn’t get caught, then hands it to his friend’s request.
“Have you found a nice angle, Sizhui?” Jingyi asks
But then he hears snaps, realizing that the other was snapping pictures of him, he quickly shields his face with the shawl “Hey! I wasn’t looking” which Sizhui only continued to snap pictures and a laugh of amusement followed “Stop wasting the film!” Jingyi says as he avoids his face from the lenses and he could only hear Sizhui’s amusement “C’mon A-Yi show me your smile” he teased.
All the snapping came to a stop “Hey come here for a sec” Sizhui says unknowingly to Jingyi the other reaches out to his pocket but realizing that Jingyi hasn’t moved Sizhui strides closer “I’m not gonna take a picture, okay? C’mon give me your hand, I’ll give your camera back” now he was in front and much closer to Jingyi.
Jingyi didn’t know but he couldn’t look up, he stood frozen but he still reached out his hand and he felt something slip on his ring finger. He paused, it couldn’t be?
“C’mon A-Yi look at me” Sizhui says almost like a whisper “I want to see you” he hunches down and meets a teary-eyed Jingyi, the shawl covering his sides but in the angle, Sizhui can see him. Before Jingyi could articulate anything he felt a warm set of lips on his own and every emotion spilled.
The kiss was shy but Jingyi was still speechless, was this all real? He looks up, his gaze meeting an almost teary-eyes Sizhui who was holding the hand he had reached out bringing it up near his lips and giving Jingyi’s hand a kiss then looks at him once more, eyes focused only to jingyi. Sizhui could see and feel the ring, it was silver and it was real.
“It fits” Sizhui says still admiring the hand he was holding, “I thought I’d die out of embarrassment” he says but a pair of lips meets his own, it lingered for a moment seemingly asking for confirmation that this was real and not just one of Jingyi’s dreams.
“I’m not dreaming am I?” Jingyi asks as he retreats, tears now spilling, it felt hot on his cheeks. Is this really happening? He felt their fingers intertwine.
Sizhui smiles at him, he pulls down the shawl and wipes Jingyi’s tears with his other hand “No” a whisper as he touched the other’s cheek “It’s not, it’s real” he confirms by pushing back the other's hair and kissing Jingyi’s forehead then Sizhui leans in and their foreheads touch.
It felt surreal. Jingyi touched the hand on his cheek “Sizhui” he can only mutter.
“Jingyi” the other says, almost whispering due to their proximity “please don’t cry” he wipes Jingyi’s tears “A-Yi, heart, I love you” he says softly, slightly pulling back and looking at the other who was still crying.
“Say it again, please” the last word merely a whisper.
“I love you” Sizhui repeats firmly pressing a kiss on the other’s lips “I love you from the beginning and will love you til’ the end” he says then kisses Jingyi’s forehead.
“I wanted to say it first” his tears finally stopping “but you said it” it was disbelief as well as joy.
“I’m sorry, I couldn’t delay it any longer” Sizhui says “I just wanted to say it for a long time and I guess here we are” he breathlessly laughs.
“This is bad” Jingyi mutters “I think I might die” he littery couldn't breath properly and his heart was going crazy even his own ears were hearing his inner panic
“Hey don’t joke like that” Sizhui knew it was but still “I can’t be alone when I finally professed my love for you, don’t leave me yet A-Yi” they were both nervous and they knew it but it felt like a veil was lifted from them, it no longer suffocated both parties.
Jingyi smiles “Don’t cry” he says as he wipes Sizhui’s teary eye’s “I love you too, A-Yuan".
Jingyi finally said it and it felt great.