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Lan Zhan gulps again. This is the seventh time tonight.
The first gulp was when Wei Ying actually showed up at his hotel room.
The second was when Wei Ying stepped out of the shower, his long hair dripping wet, his pajamas clinging to his body.
The third came when Wei Ying flopped onto the bed, giving Lan Zhan a glorious view of his perky ass.
Lan Zhan forced himself to focus on his laptop, pulling up Wei Ying’s earlier competition footage. That was when the fourth, fifth, and sixth gulps happened—
Consecutively.
- When Wei Ying peeled off his shirt, stretching his bare torso, his tiny swim trunks leaving nothing to the imagination.
- When he emerged from the pool, water cascading down his body like liquid glitter.
- When he sprinted to the podium to collect his medals, muscles flexing, his ass jiggling with every step.
And now, Wei Ying is sprawled across his hotel bed, watching the replay of Lan Zhan’s semifinal basketball game. His loose shorts ride low, gripping the backs of his thighs, exposing toned skin and the curve of his ass. The way he bites his lower lip in concentration doesn’t help.
Thus, the seventh gulp.
Lan Zhan's team won.
Wei Ying, however, had refused to hear the results. He’d missed the semifinal—his own swimming competition overlapped. Instead, he insisted they watch the rerun together.
So while Lan Zhan sits at the desk, reviewing Wei Ying’s swim events on his laptop, Wei Ying lounges on the bed, eyes glued to Lan Zhan’s game on the TV.
Swimming events are shorter. Lan Zhan skips past the parts where Wei Ying isn’t on screen.
Three gold medals.
That’s nothing new—Lan Zhan expected it, since he won every gold medal in this National level competition.
What is new?
Wei Ying got scouted early by a prestigious varsity team.
Which means he’ll leave Lan Zhan behind.
A life without Wei Ying.
Lan Zhan tries to smother the disappointment. Tries not to let the thought break his heart.
Wei Ying shifts, now dozing on his back, pillows propping up his head and neck. One hand plays with his long hair; the other tugs his shirt up, revealing his abs. His shorts ride even higher, exposing the base of his thighs.
Lan Zhan gulps. (Eighth time.)
Their high school graduation is a semester away. Lan Zhan planned to confess at prom. Perfectly.
If Wei Ying rejects him, they’ll go their separate ways. Lan Zhan will build a new life without him. Eventually, he’ll move on from thirteen years of friendship.
And hopefully will find someone new to love. (He doubts it)
But the scout ruined his plan. She offered Wei Ying early spring admission—skipping six months of grueling finals. Lan Zhan might only have tonight to confess before Wei Ying is shipped off, before they’re reduced to seeing each other only during holidays.
No longer best friends.
Maybe just… acquaintances. (He winces at that word.)
He’ll be deprived of Wei Ying’s wit, his endless chatter, his smile, his presence, his touch, his silver eyes—
The list goes on.
Lan Zhan shudders.
A life without Wei Ying.
Maybe he should confess tonight. If he doesn’t, he’ll spend years wondering what if.
He’d rather have a broken heart and a clean slate when university starts.
The problem?
He’s a coward.
Even now, with the universe handing him this chance—Wei Ying in his bed—he hesitates.
The swimming competition is over, but like all teams that finished Nationals early, their school’s athletes are allowed to stay and support their schoolmates who are still competing, as long as they cover their own lodging.
By luck (or curse), Lan Zhan secured a queen bed to himself, avoiding room-sharing with his basketball teammates, while Wei Ying roomed with his adopted brother Jiang Cheng, who had returned home with his three gold medals in men’s swimming relay and eight silver medals in individuals.
Six days ago, Wei Ying had instantly claimed the space. "Great! Now I can watch your final without slaving away at my part-time job!" he’d declared before the competitions even began.
Lan Zhan frowned. "I might leave before you."
"Nonsense! You’re winning Nationals. Best captain our school’s ever had!"
Wei Ying has always believed in him.
"Wait—are you saying that to kick me out?" Wei Ying’s tone shifted, playful but cautious. "Just tell me if you’re uncomfortable. I’ll find a hostel."
"Nonsense, Lan Zhan! You will win the National! You are the best captain that our school ever had!"
Wei Ying has always had faith in him.
"No, just be honest, will you. Sorry, I went ahead of myself and thought that you had grown accustomed to my presence and had forgotten how you feel about being touched."
"Wei Ying may touch me."
The words came out wrong, but for once, Wei Ying didn’t tease him. Instead, he grew serious. "I don’t mind working extra to support you in the final. Don’t feel bad." He’d already pulled up hostel listings.
Lan Zhan panicked. "You can sleep with me."
Wei Ying’s head snapped up, relief flashing across his face before vanishing behind his usual smirk.
"Oooh, scandalous, Lan-er-gege."
He must’ve been thrilled to avoid extra work. But he was willing to go through all that effort to watch Lan Zhan’s final.
It stirred something in him.
Lan Zhan vowed to win every game until the finals.
Now, reality crashes over him.
Wei Ying is right there, looking unfairly tempting.
He’s shifted again—on his stomach now, legs bent, hands propping up his chin, ankles crossed. His shirt rides up, exposing the dip of his waist. His shorts cling to the curve of his ass. Even his ankles look good.
Lan Zhan gulps. Nine?
He stands abruptly, abandoning the desk where he’s spent the last thirty minutes pretending to watch replays while stealing glances at Wei Ying.
This bed has been his alone for six nights. Now, it has a new occupant.
Lan Zhan isn’t the strongest soldier. He’s a horny teenager. He can’t sleep next to that without confessing every depraved thought.
His brother, Lan Huan, arrived this evening after Lan Zhan’s team advanced to the finals. He’d booked his own room—chuckling knowingly when he saw Wei Ying’s bag on Lan Zhan’s bed.
But Lan Zhan’s miserable expression must’ve given him away, because Lan Huan’s amusement faded into guilt.
Either way, there’s space in his brother’s room.
Lan Zhan clears his throat. "Congratulations on your three golds, Wei Ying."
Wei Ying startles, pausing the game. His megawatt smile returns. "Aww, thanks! What’re you giving me?"
He’s never asked for prizes before. "Three golds. Three gifts."
"Wei Ying wants presents?"
Wei Ying laughs. "I know it’s unfair—you’ll only get one gold. So I’ll only owe you one gift."
"You don’t even know if I won the semifinal," Lan Zhan points out, nodding at the screen.
Wei Ying scoffs, like the idea of Lan Zhan losing is absurd. The confidence is flattering, but Wei Ying’s lopsided grin only reminds Lan Zhan why he can’t stay tonight.
"Wei Ying must be tired. You should rest here alone. I’ll stay with Huan-Ge."
Wei Ying’s jaw drops. Lan Zhan grabs his toiletries, bids him goodnight—
And Wei Ying slams the door shut in his face.
Before Lan Zhan can react, Wei Ying spins him around, shoves him against the wall, and pins his wrists above his head.
They’re close. Wei Ying’s breath fans over Lan Zhan’s lips, his silver eyes burning into him.
"I can leave," Wei Ying says. It’s not a question, but it feels like one.
Lan Zhan stays silent, he doesn't know what the question is. He stays silent.
Wei Ying’s grip loosens. "You can have your bed back," he mutters, dejected. "You need to rest tonight for your final tomorrow."
"Where are you going?"
"Huan-ge offered his spare bed.”
Something snaps in Lan Zhan.
Maybe it’s the pent-up frustration—Wei Ying’s body on display all night, every pose seared into his mind. Maybe it’s the fantasies he’s barely suppressed—kissing that neck, gripping those thighs, squeezing that ass.
Lightning quick, he flips their positions, pinning Wei Ying to the wall.
Wei Ying’s breath hitches.
Lan Zhan leans in.
Wei Ying tilts his chin up, tongue darting out to wet his lips—right over that damn mole.
Lan Zhan’s restraint shatters.
He crashes their mouths together.
Wei Ying’s lips are soft. Warm. Perfect.
Reality slams back into him. He pulls away.
"Wei Ying, I’m sorry—"
Wei Ying’s eyes fly open. They’re annoyed.
"Again," he demands, yanking Lan Zhan back by the waist.
This time, Lan Zhan doesn’t hold back. His tongue slips past Wei Ying’s lips, tasting watermelon ice cream. Wei Ying gasps, and the sound goes straight to Lan Zhan’s groin.
He forces himself to stop.
But Wei Ying’s hand is already under his shirt, fingers tracing his lower back.
"Wei Ying—" Lan Zhan’s voice is rough with want.
"Shut up," Wei Ying breathes before kissing him again. This one is messier, hungrier. Teeth clash. Tongues tangle. Wei Ying claws at his back, pulling him closer.
When they finally break apart, gasping, Wei Ying grins.
"Thanks for my three gifts."
Gifts.
The kisses.
Wei Ying wanted them.
Lan Zhan’s brain short-circuits.
"Wei Ying, what are we doing?"
"I ran into Huan-Ge at the swim team’s dinner. He told me everything." Wei Ying’s eyes gleam—like he knows Lan Zhan’s deepest secret.
Lan Huan, the snitch.
He must’ve realized Lan Zhan wouldn’t survive a night next to Wei Ying without cracking.
But doubt creeps in. Wei Ying is kind. What if he’s just doing this to avoid ruining Lan Zhan’s focus for the final?
Wei Ying cups his face. "You’re really great. I like you. Or in other words—I fancy you, I love you, I want you, I can’t leave you, I whatever you."
He blinks once more as he attempts to understand the confession, which is fundamentally simple but requires Wei Ying to explain it to him.
Wei Ying huffs, bumping their foreheads together. "Don't leave me tonight, Lan Zhan," he finally spells it out for him, moisture collecting in the outskirts of his silver eyes, pleading.
Lan Zhan is lost. He wants to stay tonight. More than just wanting to remain tonight, he would like to have Wei Ying for the rest of his life if he could have him.
"You’re the one leaving," Lan Zhan murmurs.
Wei Ying looks at him confusedly for a moment before it registers. "Ah, that offer. It's postponed."
Lan Zhan gapes. "What?"
He smiles, his finger caresses Lan Zhan's forehead hairline, then his eyebrows. It is so soothing.
"I want to finish high school with my boyfriend. I want couple outfits in the yearbook. I want to go to prom with you. I want to kiss you in front of our school gate."
Lan Zhan feels stupid. Wei Ying has to spell everything out for him.
"You’re my boyfriend," Wei Ying declares. "I want the whole world to know. I want everyone who’s ever looked at you wrong to cry."
"Can we do that?" Lan Zhan’s voice is embarrassingly hopeful.
Wei Ying, the little devil he adores, grins.
"I called the scout. Told her I’d enroll in the fall instead. Asked if they’d consider scouting our basketball team too. She said they’d take the captain—if his performance stays as strong as it’s been.
I guaranteed her you’d win tomorrow."
Lan Zhan’s head spins. Clearly, he is dreaming.
Wei Ying likes him.
He’s staying.
They’ll go to the same university.
He’s planned their future.
"Wei Ying… do you really like me?" he asks, still in a daze that a man he has loved for thirteen years has returned his affections.
Wei Ying rolls his eyes. "You think I kissed you just because I’m horny? Well—yes, I am definitely horny. But I’ve been in love with you for years."
Lan Zhan’s heart threatens to burst.
"Really?"
"I've been trying to seduce you. And yet, you considered abandoning me tonight!"
"You’ve been seducing me?" Come to think of it, Wei Ying, who is normally boisterous when watching his game, was rather quiet tonight. "Did you pose with that skimpy outfit for me?"
Wei Ying licks his lips and whispers, "Lan Zhan, how do you feel about getting your winning gift early?"
Lan Zhan gulps. He’s lost count. Perhaps, several times during their kisses, but his mind was too foggy to count.
His boyfriend is too sexy.
"You haven’t even finished watching the semifinal. How do you know we won?"
"You still have this room, don't you? Either you lost and just want an excuse to sleep wit me, or you won. Either way—" Wei Ying tugs at Lan Zhan’s waistband. "Tonight I sleep with you."
"Shameless." He chastises him fondly while burying his face in Wei Ying’s neck, biting, sucking, leaving a mark. Wei Ying whimpers.
Lan Zhan looks up and notices the scarlet hickey staring back at him from that intersection.
"Lan Zhaaannn~" he summons him with his nasal tone. "Take me to bed and claim your gift," he orders.
Lan Zhan obeys.
(It’s more than one gift. Wei Ying reasoned that since he’d won so many medals, Wei Ying owed him several rewards.
Lan Zhan agreed.
And because Wei Ying had won more medals than him, he could kiss him whenever.)
Lan Zhan wins the final. Wei Ying rewards him with a very public kiss on live TV.
They sign matching scouting agreements.
A life with Wei Ying.
On the way home, Wei Ying dozes off, exhausted from their… “gifts opening”. Lan Zhan texts his brother:
Thank you, Ge.
Beware of Uncle's wrath. He saw Wei Ying's hickeys on national television.
Uncle Lan—their homeroom teacher—will have to adjust. Wei Ying isn’t going anywhere.
Not at school, where he clings to Lan Zhan more than ever.
Not at prom, where they dance wrapped in each other’s arms.
Not at graduation, where they kiss at the school gate, witnessed by many students and their parents.
Not in competitions, not in university, not in life.
Lan Zhan crouches beside his sleeping lover and whispers:
You're really great. I like you... Or in other words, I fancy you, I love you, I want you, I can't leave you, I whatever you.