Charms

He got up from the chair so vigorously, that it fell down with a loud bang. Some people looked at them which made Yitian uncomfortable. He quickly grabbed and put it back to its place.

"I'm sorry. I was bothering you. Thank you for your help. I will find a way to repay you." He bowed and hurried away. Chao was a bit taken aback, but he quickly regained his composure and began to chase Yitian. He was chiding himself in his thoughts when he finally caught up to his prey. He wanted to reach out to him, catch him by his hand but he in time remembered who he was dealing with. So he just said in low voice:

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that. I was just teasing you. And I'm not used to saying my life story just to anybody. I mean. When we will get closer I will gladly tell you but now. I'm afraid you will judge me." Yitian stopped, realizing his child-like behavior. But he couldn't help it. First, he was too curious, and second, Chao was butting into his life too, so why couldn't he know more about his? That wasn't fair.

"I would never judge you. You did not judge me." He turned around facing Chao, seeing his frowning face.

"I know…" Chao said and frowned more, "but… I still can't, I don't know you much." He finished, shaking his head. And Yitian realized the truth in it. They were strangers. Even though it did not feel like that, they did not know each other. He felt a strange pull towards Chao, wanting to become his friend because he thought he would get him, wouldn't judge him.

"I get it. I'm sorry," Yitian said and lowered his head. Chao ruffled his hair in a playful manner.

"Don't worry about it. I'm glad you are interested in me." Chao chuckled and Yitian blushed, "Now tell me, what's the book you are searching for?" Chao asked and Yitian told him the name. They searched for a while but with no luck. They have gone through all the architecture racks that were in the library but they still couldn't find it.

"Did you ask at the front desk?" Chao asked after a while of their suffering. Yitian remembered the time before and wanted to cry.

"Of course I did but I was told: 'You have to find it yourself!'" He mimicked the voice of the librarian, feeling totally hopeless. But at least, he made Chao laugh.

"Was it a guy or a girl?" Chao asked back, thinking about something.

"A guy."

"Oh, what a pity, if it was a girl I could work my charms on her and she would help us…" Chao said jokingly and Yitian couldn't help himself but ask:

"Wait, you have charms? I see none!" Chao wanted to smack him as he did with Yixing but when he raised his hand, Yitian squatted down protecting his head, which almost broke Chao's heart. He squatted down and slowly put his hand on Yitian's head. Very slowly and gently. He finally realized how gently he had to treat Yitian, almost as a wounded animal. Chao did not know if it was worth it, he would have to control his every movement, his every sentence, thinking twice about everything. But something inside him was telling him that he should do it, that it would be worth having a friend like Yitian because he would never leave him. And Chao knew that. Once he would show his good side, healing Yitian first. Then Yitian would help him.

"It's okay. I will never hurt you. No violence against you," he said quietly patting Yitian's head. Yitian raised his head up to face Chao, slowly letting his hands fall down. His eyes were saying the words of apology. But he did not have to. Because Chao knew the cause of this fear. And he wasn't a surprise. He felt few of the scars, Yitian had, himself when touching him. On his head, his hand. Cuts, bulks, some faded bruises. And he was furious, why was nobody doing anything with it. Why did everyone leave a small kid getting beaten up by his mom? Just why?

"Hey, let's go ask one more time," he said in a more cheerful tone and helped Yitian go stand up. They walked together to the front table of the library and saw a girl sitting behind the counter. Oh, lucky, thought Chao for himself.

"Maybe they had changed shifts or the guy went to do something," Yitian said and looked at Chao who was smiling. Finally, his attractive body was for use for once. He walked to the table with the confidence of a proud tiger, flashed a wide smile full of straight white teeth to the girl, and looked her directly in her eyes. Her mouth was hanging open and she was staring at Chao without blinking. Yitian wasn't that surprised. Because even he almost felt stunned because of this smile. If he did not see the sadness in Chao's eyes, that didn't seem to disappear. Not even once he met him. But he was certain that his eyes were carrying the same glint of sadness. Chao was chatting for a while with the girl. She could almost die just to help him. Then he left with a confident smile and a note in his hand. He was striding towards Chao and handing him the note.

"It's a book in English so it is in the English part of the library, the second shelf from the left," he said and paused for a while. "What do I get for my help?" Yitian looked at him being pretty much grateful. Chao helped him a lot, otherwise he would be searching for it for a long time. He was still thinking about the reward when they walked towards the place the librarian pointed out. And the book was there for real. He looked at Chao with such a happy face that it made Chao stumble a bit, almost stepping on his own leg. He was still with him when exiting the library. It was getting darker outside and Yitian looked suddenly frightened. He looked down at his watches and visibly paled.

"I'm sorry I will treat you next time. I need to go. Or I will… you know what… I need to go… Bye!" Yitian blurted out quickly and ran away, without even waiting for Chao's reply. The only thing Chao managed to do was raise his hand and wave back. It was too late to remember he did not have a way to contact him.