Archive of Our Own

The sun is still shying behind the clouds when Xiao Zhan parks his bike at his regular spot, shrugging his large duffel bag on his shoulder. Walking inside the pale-yellow building, he greets Yubin at the reception who gives him his sweet smile “Xiao Laoshi! You are early” 

Xiao Zhan smiles back. “Had to set up the class for an activity today. It will take some time, So I thought it’s better to just do it before the kids come in, or else everything will be on the floor before I even begin” Yubin just laughs, handing him his classroom’s keys. Xiao Zhan thanks him, heading straight to his room. Just as he unlocks the door, he is flooded with the familiar calm he always feels here.

Xiao Zhan loves his job. Even when his parents had been vehemently against him leaving his perfectly settled life as a graphic designer, he had shown his own stubbornness and, in the end, got a job as a Kindergarten teacher. Having his own small studio established right after he graduated from college had been a dream come true for him. But a few years in the business have had all his creativity seep out of him. Working was no more fun. He wasn’t happy. So, when the opportunity arose, he embraced it. And it had brought him to the happiest place he has ever been in.  

Keeping his stuff on the table, he takes all the painting supplies and papers he bought yesterday in the empty space. Sorting the paints, brushes, and pages reminds him of the things he had given up. He still likes to paint, that’s the only other thing from his previous life that he has kept close to him. 

A sudden feeling of loss overpowers him. It’s not like he doesn’t miss it. When he lets his mind drift to the past, he thinks about what would have happened if he had stayed in the business. Engrossed in his thoughts, his grip on the brush loosens enough for it falls on the ground, the sound bringing him back to his senses. 

He crouches to pick the brush that had fallen underneath the table. Just as he is about to stand up, a small warm body slams into his back, a pair of wet hands covering his eyes. Xiao Zhan gasps at the sudden attack, his hands coming to cover the small one on his eyes. He once again feels all the longing thoughts leave him when he hears the little titters behind him. 

Xiao Zhan can’t help the smile that breaks on his face. He feels someone the boy just vibrating with his barely muffled giggles. “Who is it?” The boy says making his voice sound deeper than it was. Xiao Zhan shakes his head at the attempt, finding it very cute but not helping the boy conceal his identity, for Xiao Zhan knows exactly who he is.

“Hm, I wonder who this is?” Xiao Zhan sings, playing dumb. The hands-on eyes tug him back, little chubby fingers digging into them become a bit painful but he pays it no mind. “Hm, let’s see.”

“Is this…..” He trails off and, before the little boy can judge what he is going to do, turns to him, tickling his stomach with his fingers. “Suo-er!” He cheers, the little boy letting out a surprised screech. 

Yubin always tells him he is a bit biased. Xiao Zhan always disagrees, because he is not biased at all.

 Picking the little bundle of joy in his arms, he swirls him around once, relishing the sound he makes before blowing a raspberry on his face. Suo-er squirms in his grasp, trying to get away from the onslaught of affection being given to him. 

“Laoshi!” The five-year-old squeals, giggling while trying to swat Xiao Zhan’s hand away. He puts him down on his feet, the boy clinging to his leg the instant his feet meet the ground. “How did you know it was me?” Suo-er asks, nuzzling his face on his knee.

Xiao Zhan cups his own face “I’m a wizard.” Which earns him a very disapproving look that should not look that serious on a five-year-old. “Okay okay, little one. No need to look so serious,” He says, ruffling his hair. 

“Laoshi, what were you doing? Are we painting today?” Suo-er asks, picking the paintbrush from the floor and handing it back to him. Xiao Zhan nods. 

He had wanted to introduce painting into his lessons a few weeks back. The kids were already quite efficient in recognizing different shapes, colors, and animals. It was the perfect time to add this little activity to the class curriculum.  

Xiao Zhan passes the stack of drawing paper to Suo-er. “You need to help me set things up okay? First Laoshi needs to shift the chairs away, so stand near my table here. Will you be a good boy and help me Suo-er?” The boy nods excitedly, standing diligently near the desk. 

Suo-er in one single word is wonderful. Coming from an orphanage owned by the same establishment as that of their school, he had been the first one to meet him. It was a gloomy day, to begin with. A sudden thunderstorm had hit the town unexpectedly in the morning after Xiao Zhan had reached the school. There was thankfully no kid that had come to school that day. But he himself was stuck inside with the other staff until the rain had calmed down a bit. 

Xiao Zhan had been on his way out of the school when he had first seen the little boy. Perched on the wall near the parking lot, he saw the small boy. Wrapped up in a thin, flimsy, and torn blanket which gave him no cover from the harsh rain still pouring down, drenching him completely. Xiao Zhan had wasted no time in bringing the shivering boy inside. He had been so underweight, so light in his arms. The school nurse, Xuan Lu, had been the one to look after him. Xiao Zhan had just looked at the boy with such sadness that Xuan Lu had asked him to take a seat.

From what he had been told, the boy was just he predicted, severely underweight. From what she could find from the little note taped to his blanket, there were only the words

 Please take care of him. I’m sorry.

And a date which they assumed to be his date of birth. Reading the age of the child and then seeing the still shivering boy under the multiple blankets on him, Xiao Zhan couldn’t help the way his heart had clenched painfully. He was barely two years old. He didn’t even know when he had stood up from his seat and taken the hold of the boy’s hand. 

“I will take care of you, little one,” He had whispered to him, gently caressing his head.

Xiao Zhan had been the one to name him. Suo-er. There was no special meaning behind the name. Just that it had sounded right in his head. There was still time before the boy could start school, so Xiao Zhan took up the job of regularly meeting the boy. Coaxing him out of the shy bubble had been difficult but Xiao Zhan had worked hard and, in the end, it all paid off. Suo-er became such a bright kid only in the span of a few months.

When his time to join the kindergarten had come close, Xiao Zhan was a bundle of nerves. Being his teacher was the only thing he had hoped for. Not being his legal guardian had definitely helped with the committee deciding to put him in his class. And Xiao Zhan doesn’t remember being happier than the day when Suo-er had walked into his classroom with his head turned down, his hands fisted around the straps on his bag, holding them onto them for dear life. He was anxious to meet new kids, but soon had relaxed and made a lot of new friends. He was bright and lovely. 

If there was someone, other than his parents of course, that Xiao Zhan would do anything for, it is Suo-er. 

Xiao Zhan smiles, remembering the previous years. After Xiao Zhan is done with putting the tables away, he puts a big picnic blanket on the floor, huffing out proudly at his work. The duo works in perfect rhythm as they ready the room for a painting session. Suo-er sets the drawing supplies on the blanket while Xiao Zhan sorts the paints. 

Xiao Zhan is in the middle of setting up his own space to paint when Suo-er calls for him “Xiao Laoshi?”

 He immediately turns. “Yes, my dear?”

“What are we going to do today?" He asks cheerfully. 

“We will be painting today.”

Suo-er jumps on his feet, clapping “What will we paint?”

“Now, now Suo-er,” Xiao Zhan flicks his nose, “I will tell you when the class begins, okay?” 

Soon, the kids start to flutter into the class, greeting him excitedly, their young eyes gleaming with delight as they take in the new setup of their classroom. Once everyone is settled properly, Xiao Zhan begins to explain their task for the day. 

“Silence everyone. Now listen to your Laoshi carefully okay?” He says and the little one chants out “Yes Laoshi!”

Clapping his hand, Xiao Zhan grins. “So, I have given each one of you paints of different colors, pencils, crayons, and a drawing paper. What you have to do now is draw someone you admire a lot.” The class is filled with curious sounds of the kids, asking if anyone knows what the word admire means. 

Xiao Zhan squeals inside. They are just too adorable. Clearing his throat, he begins, “Hmm, admire means someone you really like, someone who is your favorite person in the whole world.” The class once again bursts into yells of different names that the kids love. He loves this sound. Xiao Zhan demonstrates how to draw and paint as easily as he can. The kids pick it up pretty easily, at least that’s what he was hoping for. 

The class is a mess. Paint is everywhere. Maybe he didn’t think this through. By the time half the students are done with their art pieces, there are countless handprints in various colors brightening Xiao Zhan’s pale green jumpsuit he had worn for the day. He meticulously checks every student’s art, praising them. The kids smile so brightly as they explain to him who they drew. 

Finally, Xiao Zhan gets near Suo-er who is still painting diligently, cooped up in the corner most part of the class “What did my Suo-er draw?” He asks, coming to stop behind him. Suo-er flinches, turning around he gives him a cute pout. “Laoshi! You scared me.”

Pinching his cheek, Xiao Zhan points to the paper in his lap “What did you draw?”

Without missing a beat, Suo-er thrusts the page in his face, and cheers, “You!”

Xiao Zhan stops, looking at the page in his hand, his voice a bare whisper as he asks “Me?”

“You drew me?” He croaks out, his throat itchy from stopping the tears pricking his eyes. 

The boy only continues excitedly “I like Xiao Laoshi the best! He is my favorite person. I admire him a lot.”

Xiao Zhan can’t find his words at all. He remains silent for long enough that Suo-er’s smile starts to fade a bit. Before he can say anything to him, a loud shout fills the room. “It’s him! He is here!” Suo-er immediately forgets about everything and runs to the window to join his classmates who are excitedly waving to the man outside. 

Oh god, he is here. Xiao Zhan thinks. Taking a deep breath, he sets his hair and wipes his face before running to the window as well. “Officer Wang.” And once again, the eyes that always make him weak, reach him easily. 

“Xiao Laoshi,” Yibo acknowledges, smiling. 

“How many times have I asked you to just call me Xiao Zhan, Officer Wang?”

“Just as many times as I have asked you to call me Yibo.” 

Xiao Zhan laughs “Okay, okay I lose. Yibo, how are you?” 

Meeting Wang Yibo had been a wonderful thing for Xiao Zhan. He had never thought that he would ever have such an intense crush on someone. But it's not his fault, really. He has never seen anyone like him before. It's impossible to not take notice of the handsome Cop he had met passing by their school. He had been running late that day. The birds were chirping and the breeze was cool. Nothing out of the ordinary. And then, in just a few seconds, he had crashed into a warm body.

Xiao Zhan stumbled forward and waited for the hard floor but it never came. Instead, he had felt an arm around his waist, holding him upright. He had his eyes closed, his hands fisted, and his fists clenching his savior’s shirt tightly. He was about to open his eyes but then, “Are you okay?” A deep voice had asked and Xiao Zhan’s body had let out an involuntary shiver which didn't go unnoticed by the man, as he merely chuckled. 

Xiao Zhan had flushed red, eyes still shut as he wriggled out of the man’s firm grip. “Are you going to open your eyes?” The man asked, completely amused by his antics. 

Xiao Zhan immediately opens his eyes, and wow, whatever luck he had in his life might have been used up in meeting the man standing in front of him. Xiao Zhan’s heart stuttered.

The man was wearing a uniform. He really just ran into a cop, wow. A very sexy cop. 

The man continued to wait for him patiently as Xiao Zhan had tried to figure out the best way to get the hell out of there. He had already made a clown of himself. But as he tried to make a move to move, however, the man had blocked his way.

"I’m sorry, but I wanted to ask, are you a teacher here?”

Oh, that is something he could answer. "Yes,” He said, and then something clicked in his head. “Wait. Are you the cop here for the lesson?” 

"Yes, I’m Wang Yibo, Officer Wang,” The man, no, Wang Yibo replied.

Smiling Xiao Zhan bowed his head, “, I’m Xiao Zhan,” He said and gestured towards the building. “Let’s go inside?” Yibo had nodded and followed him.

The activity that Officer Wang had been called for was for teaching the kids some basic self-defense. Xiao Zhan’s class was also participating. And Xiao Zhan had been too excited after meeting the Officer. 

In the end, the activity had been a success. Wang Yibo had quickly become a student favorite. Even taking Xiao Zhan’s hard-earned spot in the kids’ heart. Even Suo-er had announced him as his favorite person. But he didn’t mind. Seeing Wang Yibo being so careful and so gentle with the kids had been a sight that Xiao Zhan will forever preserve in his mind.

Since then, his class greeting Wang Yibo from their classroom window had become almost an everyday occurrence. It’s really the highlight of his days now. He just wishes, really wishes that one day, he will be able to ask him out.

Whichever god had listened to his wish, he should really thank them. Because after a week of their painting activity, Wang Yibo had come to the orphanage to ask about something when he had met Suo-er and Xiao Zhan in the lobby, talking to Yubin. 

The little devil, Suo-er had stopped Yibo just as he was going out and told him that he had something to ask him. Yibo being the angel he was, had crouched to his level and waited. 

The moment he starts to talk, Xiao Zhan wishes he had melted right then and there. “Xiao Laoshi wants to go on a date?” The little boy looks at Yubin, checking if he had said the right words. He beamed when Yubin nodded nervously before adding “My Xiao Laoshi would like to go on a date with you. Would you go out with him Officer Wang?”

Wang Yibo had remained rooted to the spot. His face betraying nothing but his hands twitching uncontrollably. One way or another, he had really done the right thing because Yibo had said yes, to everyone’s surprise, and grabbed Xiao Zhan’s phone to input his number before running, literally running out of the building while Xiao Zhan tried to process how his little Suo-er had gotten him a date with his crush. 

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As the clock approaches the hour of their date, Xiao Zhan is going to vibrate out of his skin. His skin is buzzing with nerves. If he doesn’t calm himself, he is sure he will pass out soon. He knew things would be like this, thank god he had decided to call Xuan Lu to help him out beforehand. 

After Suo-er’s little stunt a week ago, Yibo and he had been constantly texting each other. And finally, their schedule had aligned for them to go out on their date. Xuan Lu had brought Suo-er to his apartment for moral support. Since the time Xuan Lu had known that Xiao Zhan had been wanting to adopt him, Xuan Lu as the head of the orphanage had let him gradually introduce Suo-er to his home.

“Everything will be fine, Zhan Zhan,” Xuan Lu says from where she is sitting on the couch, with Suo-er lying on her lap. “Yibo will be here in 10 minutes, Xiao Zhan. I hope I don’t have to answer the door to tell him you passed out before the date.”

Xiao Zhan stops in his frantic pacing immediately and takes a deep breath. “Lulu,” He begins, turning to her “What if he decides he doesn’t like me? What if he thinks I’m not like, you know…” He pauses, looking down at his feet “Worth it?” 

Xuan Lu sighs and after a few shuffling sounds, a pair of feet enter his line of sight “Xiao Zhan.” A hand reaches for his shoulder. Xiao Zhan raises his head to meet her soft and understanding gaze “From what I have heard about Yibo from you, he seems like a good guy. He wouldn’t have said yes if he didn’t like you.” And then, a teasing smile begins to form on her face, “If everything you said is true and from what I saw at the school, that man is already way too smitten with you, Xiao Zhan. You have nothing to worry about.”

A sudden blush that graces his cheeks makes him hide his face in his hands. “Lulu, don’t say that. I’m already a mess here!”

“It will be okay Xiao Zhan. Sometimes you really think too much. I think….” Xuan Lu starts but her words get cut off by the sound of the bell ringing in the apartment. Xiao Zhan feels his heartbeat quickening in his chest. 

Xuan Lu gives him a squeeze on his shoulder “He is here. Go now. I will take care of Suo-er, don’t worry about him. Just focus on your date.” 

He nods vigorously, wriggling out of her grip. “Yes, I will,”  Xiao Zhan huffs out, shaking his entire body and checking his outfit once again. He had spent hours frantically throwing clothes from his very bland wardrobe, until calling Xuan Lu was the only option he had left with. She had dressed him in his best set of clothes. He was not looking fancy by any means, but he was hoping he looked good enough for his date. 

With one final nod to her and one check at the sleeping form of Suo-er, he opens the door. The sight that greets him, is so powerful that he feels his knees going weak. Yibo looks…. good, sexy, too good, too sexy. Xiao Zhan gulps but makes himself hopefully more in control of his expressions. He checks Wang Yibo blatantly from head to toe. He looks so different out of the usual uniform Xiao Zhan had seen him in. He is wearing a simple white shirt that shows off his utterly sexy built, black pants that fit him perfectly, and a pair of black dress shoes. He looks like a god that had deemed Xiao Zhan worthy of his presence. 

When their eyes meet again, he sees the way Yibo’s eyes look at him, the same hunger that Xiao Zhan feels mirroring in them. They stay there just staring at each other silently, unable to break out of their trance, until Yibo clears his throat, “You look…. Good. No, I mean you look perfect, you always look perfect but today you look even more perfect, Zhan ge.'' 

Xiao Zhan tries to control his breathing as the two walk down the flights of stairs, Xiao Zhan trailing behind Yibo. The two of them are silent when they reach Yibo’s car. Xiao Zhan keeps his eyes trained to the floor, the panic returning to him in one full blow. The two of them had never been this close before and the closeness, just them in one enclosed space with no one else to hear them, is doing numerous things to his heart.  

His expression softens, his voice gentle, “Zhan ge.” He pulls out the hand that he had been holding behind his back. Xiao Zhan is on the verge of exploding from the utter loveliness of the action. Yibo shifts from one foot to another and says, “These are for you”

“Oh,” Xiao Zhan says and then realizes how that probably sounded wrong, “These are…thank you Yibo. They are lovely. I really..you didn’t have to get these,” He adds, voice sincere. He really was not expecting him to bring flowers or anything at all for that matter. Xiao Zhan knows his face must have done something funny because, Yibo’s hand extending the flowers to him starts to retreat, his face like a kicked puppy.

“You don’t have to accept them if you don’t like them, Zhan ge,” He sounds so sad that Xiao Zhan’s hand reaches to take the flowers from him, his body leaning closer to Yibo’s. He inhales his scent which may sound a bit weird, but in Xiao Zhan’s defense, Yibo really smells too good. Yibo is still as a statue when Xiao Zhan’s lips meet his cheek for a quick peck. 

“No, Yibo, I’m too flattered. No one had brought flowers for me before,” Xiao Zhan says, stepping a bit away from the still frozen Yibo. It takes him a few seconds to gather himself, before he gives him a small private smile, his hand reaching out for the cheek Xiao Zhan had just kissed. 

“Good,” Is the only thing he says before he opens the door of his car and guides Xiao Zhan inside. 

The car ride is mostly silent, if you don’t count the awkward ways Xiao Zhan and Wang Yibo try to start a conversation which goes nowhere. But after an agonizing half-hour car ride, they finally reach their destination. Yibo had been the one to choose the location and now Xiao Zhan realizes that letting him choose was the wrong decision. 

The restaurant he had chosen is the fanciest the city has to offer and looking repeatedly at Yibo and the restaurant as Yibo helps his step out of the car is making Xiao Zhan feel highly underdressed. He hopes his face doesn’t betray his emotions though. Pulling on his formal polite smile he saves for a more formal meeting, which earns him a frown from Yibo, they walk inside. Yibo had his hand firmly on his upper arm until they reached their table. 

They don’t sit next to each other which Xiao Zhan would have preferred because who would like to sit across Yibo when he looks this good? 

“I can see what you are trying to do,” Yibo scolds like he is a kid who is being picky with his food choices. Xiao Zhan keeps the menu back at the table. 

“I just feel a little out of place,” Xiao Zhan answers honestly. His words come out way too quiet and vulnerable for his liking, and Yibo’s eyes soften. 

Yibo takes his hand in his, intertwining their fingers together. “I should have worded that differently. I’m sorry if this makes you uncomfortable. I should have told you. We can still go somewhere else if you would like Zhan ge. I’m an idiot. I’m sorry ge,” He says, and he is on his feet instantly. His words are just so sincere that Xiao Zhan feels his heart tug. 

“Yibo,'' He says softly. Yibo’s sincere eyes land on him and he adds, “Sit.” Yibo follows immediately which in a way does something to him. Xiao Zhan shakes his head. Not the right time for this Xiao Zhan.

“You have nothing to apologize for,” He laces his voice with as much sincerity as he can, squeezing his hand. “It’s just something new, don’t worry. You should order for me Yibo. I don’t know what’s good here.” 

“Okay. Anything you want Zhan ge,” murmurs Yibo, taking the menu for him. 

The rest of the dinner is filled with topics ranging from their favorite things to their most embarrassing moments. He learns how Yibo likes to ride a motorbike and how he was going to bring it out today but didn’t want to make him uncomfortable so he had asked his friend to lend him his car.

Then a comfortable silence had surrounded the two as they had finished their food. Until Xiao Zhan noticed that Yibo had stopped eating. “Yibo, you okay?”

Yibo stares at his plate, brows pulled together, his lips frowned. 

Xiao Zhan blinks at him, confused “Yibo?”

“Xiao Zhan,” Yibo says, meeting Xiao Zhan’s eyes firmly as he takes a deep breath, “There’s something I need to tell you.”

Xiao Zhan, judging the serious look on his face, keeps his cup back and nods. “Hm, go ahead”

“I like you.”

Xiao Zhan freezes. “Ah?”

“I have liked you for a while now.” He huffs a soft laugh. What an understatement, “I have been wanting you from the day we met for the first time. I was trying to own it up and ask you out, but Suo-er beat me to it,” He huffs out. 

Xiao Zhan gapes, his mouth falling open.

“I really like you Zhan Ge. It’s okay if you don’t like me back. I just wanted to tell you. I apologize if this made you uncomfortable. I understand that you may not feel the same way.”

“No!” Xiao Zhan screams, falling out of his trance. He stands up from his seat, the chair screeching behind as he steps near Yibo and crouches to his level. “Yibo, I like you too. Since we met, I have only been thinking of you.” Yibo’s face brightens instantly. Yibo smiles, hugging him tightly. The angle is awkward but the butterflies in his stomach make up for it. He grabs Yibo’s hand and looks at him intensely.

“I think we should go back to the car.” Yibo nods.

They quickly shuffle out of the restaurant and finally relax when they enter their car. Both of them unconsciously deciding to sit in the back, together. 

Xiao Zhan immediately wraps Yibo in his arms. “Yibo.” He pouts. “You have to stick by my side all the time now”

Yibo’s eyes glimmer and his pretty lips rise in something like a smirk. “Even in the shower? Wow, Zhan ge. Think about all the water we will save.” 

Xiao Zhan pulls his lips between his teeth, suddenly feeling incredibly shy as he says “I doubt we will be saving any water….” He buries his face in Yibo’s shoulder.

“We won’t be,” Yibo says quickly, dipping to land a kiss on Xiao Zhan’s cheek. Xiao Zhan flushes even more and Yibo laughs, rubbing his back, giving him time to gather himself.

As he feels himself settle, he twists on the man’s grip and says “Just to be clear, I like you a lot too Yibo,” And kisses his cheek, “Really, really like you”

Before Xiao Zhan can do anything else, Yibo has his lips against his. His hand cupping the back of his head. The kiss is slow, gentle. Yibo’s lips are warm and soft against his. Xiao Zhan freezes but soon returns the kiss, mirroring the tenderness Yibo’s lips are kissing him with. They spend, well he doesn’t know for how long they kiss. They only part when their lungs give out.

Yibo just stares at him with a small smile on his lips. “Zhan ge.”

“Hm?” He hums, resting his head on his shoulder.

Silence follows before Yibo says “You have put a spell on me.”

 Xiao Zhan huffs out. This man will be the death of him. “Really Yibo?”

“Now you have to take responsibility or who knows what this little spell might do to me!”

Xiao Zhan tuts “Okay okay. Now we can’t have anything happening to my dear Yibo, can we? I think I have to take responsibility for you, Yibo.”

“Hm, you really should.”

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 The car ride has a weird string of something like tension hanging in the air. There are a lot of things he wants to discuss with Yibo. For Xiao Zhan would like to take this relationship till the end. And for that to happen, Xiao Zhan needed to tell him or ask him about his plans for Suo-er.

“Yibo,” He begins, immediately cringing at his tone. 

“Zhan ge?” Yibo asks, momentarily looking at him before turning his eyes back to the road.

“I would like to tell you something.” Xiao Zhan takes a deep breath and begins. Xiao Zhan is so engrossed in what he is saying that he fails to notice that they had reached his apartment and Yibo is staring intently at him. 

Yibo leans to him. “Zhan ge. Yes”

“You would like to be with me? With us?” he says, his eyes wide, heart almost in his throat.

“Zhan ge, I will like nothing more than that,” Yibo whispers, leaning to his side, eyes staring deep into his as his hands tighten around his arm. Xiao Zhan feels himself untangling under his touch, his hands snaking down on their own accord before they reach Yibo’s hands. His hands completely cover his, responding to the touch instantly.

“Would you like to come inside?” Xiao Zhan continues. “We can get takeout if you want. But Suo-er is there and I think it will be better if he eats something healthy. But if you-”

Yibo’s face softens. He brings his hand to his lips, leaving a gentle kiss on his knuckles. Xiao Zhan stills instantly. “I will do anything you want me to, ge. I will follow you everywhere.” 

When the two of them enter his apartment, Xuan Lu only gives them a soft knowing smile before leaving immediately. Suo-er is patiently waiting for him on the sofa. 

When both Xiao Zhan and Yibo explain everything to him, he gasps loudly, covering his mouth with hands, staring at them with impossibly wide eyes, filled with happiness. 

“If the date went well, then, You will be my A-Die? Really?” Suo-er whispers, his eyes filled with tears. 

 He turns, his arm wrapping around him immediately, and says with eager determination, “Yes, little one. I will be with you,” Turning to Xiao Zhan, Yibo hugs him tightly and kisses his temple, “And my Zhan ge forever.”

“I will forever take care of my family.”

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ONE YEAR LATER 

“Baba, I want ice cream! Can we get some ice cream?” Suo-er whines, his puppy eyes thankfully directed at Yibo, who once again falls victim to them. Yibo ruffles his hair. 

“Okay fine. But only one scoop okay?” Suo-er happily nods in his arms.

“Ge, I will go and feed this little monster. Do you want one?” Yibo asks, bumping his shoulder to Xiao Zhan.

“Nah, I’m not in a mood. Get some for him.” Yibo nods and walks to the nearest shop.

Xiao Zhan smiles, his heart so filled with warmth as he watches his two favorite people laughing together. He never thought he would find his soulmate in this life, never dared to hope. And now, having Wang Yibo by his side, he realizes what he had been missing.

He wouldn’t say that adopting Suo-er was not difficult for them. There were numerous hurdles, countless sleepless nights, multiple breakdowns but in the end, the two had finally adopted their little Suo-er. They had gotten over every single hurdle, together. The adoption had definitely made the school authority get Suo-er out of his section and to another one. Which, even though it bothered both Xiao Zhan and Wang Yibo, was maybe the right thing to do.

Now even thinking of spending another second without his two most precious people makes his heart ache painfully. He can’t bear to see his life without them. He is so deep in his own thoughts that he fails to notice the two joining his side, Suo-er safely tucked in Yibo’s arms, eating his definitely not one scoop of ice cream, as he gives Xiao Zhan his signature smile. 

“Home?” He asks, his free hand coming to wait for his own to join. Xiao Zhan nods. “Yes, Yibo,'' He says, before giving him a watery smile, “Let’s go home.”

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