40 Chapter 37: Only Some Feel The Heat/Arc 5.4
A month later, the two friends were in the Zion's home office. A soft tapping sounded in the mostly quiet room as cool air was circulated by the A/C.
Zhou Jian couldn't focus and constantly glanced at the Celestial. The little cat was seated cross legged on the mat as he concentrated on the 2000 piece puzzle before him.
The younger man held a piece in his hand as he studied it. After a second, he fitted it in the puzzle and directed his attention to another. Zhou Jian looked away for a moment and flinched when he raised his eyes again.
Wang Tao was in front of him, seated half way on the desk. Tilting his head, his silver eyes revealed his concern and confusion.
"Is there something wrong?"
"Why would you think that?"
"You've been looking at me constantly and tapping your fingers. When are you going to realize that you can't hide that from me?"
"I…you're right. I…It's not that something wrong but…"
"Then what?"
Zhou Jian looked at the other who raised a brow at him. Wang Tao was waiting patiently but the Zion could sense the worry.
Zhou Jian bit the inside of his lip, hesitant. Staring into those silver orbs, the older man tensed as he stated slowly,
"Chen...Chen Xiang's pregnant."
"..."
The Zion nervously watched the Celestial who was frozen in shock. His friend took a moment before he blinked and looked down.
[ Che Xiang us pregnant...its just as I thought, my love is doomed...Did I really still think I had a chance? What's wrong with me?! ]
Smiling at his friend, Wang Tao retracted his trembling hand, hoping to hide his reaction as he choked out.
"C-congratulations…I'm sure you're happy."
Zhou Jian had of course noticed and felt his heart break seeing the other try to cover up his pain. He regretted saying anything but knew it would be better than him hearing from someone else.
The older man opened his mouth to speak, hoping to comfort the other but before he could do so, Wang Tao excused himself and ran out the room, the Zion rushing after moments later.
Spotting the other not too far away, he grabbed the other's hand to stop him. Wang Tao simply didn't have the energy to struggle and stayed still, his shaking back facing his friend. The Celestial refused to turn around even when the other pleaded.
"A Tao."
"..."
"A Tao, turn around, please."
"..."
Wang Tao shook his head. Zhou Jian decided to do it himself and pulled the other towards him. Once his friend was facing him, he lifted his chin up and was inwardly starled.
A stray tear had run down the Celestial's face which was contorted in pain. Wang Tao hastily wiped it away as he desperately tried to calm himself down but it was useless.
The younger man tried and tried but he gradually felt stuffy and was having difficulty breathing. His body was shaking uncontrollably, heightening the worry in Zhou Jian as he noted the others' rapidly declining state.
It seemed like Wang Tao was having a panic attack and he struggled to breath. The Celestial's vision was blurry, barely making out the concern on the man's face.
"A T-"
"I'm sorry. I-I should be happy for you but…but now I'm just…a-a mess and I can feel myself breaking and.....I'm sorry…I-I'm trying but I…I can't. Please don't be mad."
The Celestial tried and failed miserably. He could hear something shatter inside or burst, he wasn't sure. In the next second, he was a weeping mess. For the first time in his millions of years of life he cried and he cried badly.
Wang Tao was exhausted, he felt as if all the energy was slowly draining from his body. Stumbling a bit, he tried to support himself with the wall but ended up slumping down onto the floor where he continued to cry.
Zhou Jian was in shock but recovered quickly. Stooping down, he raised the buried head and watched as the other cried with no cares anymore. The dam of emotions had burst and the Celestial could no longer control his unstable and chaotic mind.
Zhou Jian's heart was being stabbed as he watched the tears stream down Wang Tao's face.
The other was having a breakdown because of him.
The other was crying in pain for the first time all because of him. It was his fault. He was always causing the other pain.
Zhou Jian's hands trembled as he tried to wipe the tears. The Celestial would not even look at him and Zhou Jian felt the guilt tearing at him from inside.
His worry, his care, all just hurt the other more because he didn't love him. The Zion hated seeing the other cry, especially when he was the cause.
I'm sorry
"I'm sorry"
Again
"I'm sorry"
More
"I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry."
Not enough. It's not enough. He's still crying.
Zhou Jian pulled the weeping man into his arms and ran his hands through his hair. He hugged the other tight and did his best to calm his friend. His shirt was becoming soaked but it didn't matter to him.
Leaning against the wall, he allowed the other to grab on to him. The Zion listened to the cries of Wang Tao as his hand combed through the silver hair.
Wang Tao didn't care at the moment, all he knew was that it was warm and felt so safe. The words from the other were so genuine and his voice comforting. He relaxed into the embrace as he cried his heart out.
"I'm sorry, A Tao. I'm really sorry. I can't even ask for your forgiveness."
[ I'm really the worst aren't I. I should've told him to stay away… ]
.
.
.
.
.
A warm hand ran through the silver hair as the cries softened before disappearing. A few sniffles could be heard as the hands wiped off the remaining tears from the Celestials face.
Wang Tao's eyes were red and swollen and he still didn't seem to be quite there. He leaned his head on Zhou Jian's chest and quietly listened to the beating heart. His eyes were drowsy as his body gave out, laying on his friend for support.
Wang Tao blinked slowly, watching the Zion's flawless face before drifting off to sleep. Zhou Jian held the other closely and didn't bother moving from his position.
Half an hour passed and once he assured the other was in a deep sleep, he stood up and carried the other to his room. Placing the younger man in his bed, he got some wipes and cleaned up Wang Tao's face. Minutes later, he left the room and went to change his wet shirt.
_____________
Chen Xiang exited his hover car and entered their house. Dropping his things on the counter, he walked upstairs. Reaching the home office, he opened the door and hurried over to Zhou Jian.
Noticing the puzzle pieces on the floor, Chen Xiang frowned in confusion as he side stepped them.
[ Where is Wang Tao? ]
The transmigrator pushed aside the stray thought. Approaching Zhou Jian, he sat on the other's lap startling the man for a second.
Snuggling against the other, he looked up and smiled but it almost dropped in his surprise at the man's slow reaction. Taking Zhou Jian's hand, he guided it towards his belly and placed his hand on top.
Zhou Jian's eyes softened and he rubbed it a bit, placing his head on the other's shoulder. His wife was carrying his future child, it should be a happy occasion, right?
He smiled as he thought of what the child may be like. He didn't care about the gender, simply hoping that the child will be healthy and happy.
He can't let them be born into an environment where their own parents don't trust and love each other. Zhou Jian had been having doubts, his suspicion rising as he started to realize that Chen Xiang wasn't the person he thought.
It was more than his wife not returning his feelings. It was the other being a completely different person. Even then, he would bring himself to ignore it and try to strengthen their relationship for his child.
This situation was exactly what Chen Xiang wanted. He knew that the fool would care more about the child's health and environment than his feelings or the transmigrator questioning behavior.
The man was really too caring about his family. Chen Xiang tried to control the smirk creeping across his face.
The youth turned around a bit and wrapped his arms around his husband. Pulling the other down, he gave him a passionate kiss. The shorter man drew the other closer attempting to make the kiss become more heated.
Chen Xiang squirmed a bit, knowing from experience that it would turn a man on. His hands wandered lower as he hinted that he wanted to move on to the next stage.
A Jian.
A faint voice sounded as silver eyes dazzling flashed in his mind, startling the Zion.
Zhou Jian immediately broke the kiss, holding the panting youth.
"Jian Ge?"
Chen Xiang frowned deeply when he realized that the other had really stopped but kept silent. Peeking downward, he noticed that Zhou Jian hadn't gotten hard either.
After a moment, the older man lifted the youth off him.
"Let's stop here, I'm kind of tired and I still have work. Sorry."
"Oh..."
Cheng Xiang eyed his husband carefully before nodding and leaving the room.
Once the young man was gone, the Zion frowned slightly, his mind in shambles.
Hearing a ring, he was distracted from the thoughts. Rubbing his aching head, he quickly answered an incoming call from the Star Net.
