26 26 - You're...what?!

Ren found the two boys chatting about love affair when he went to fetch them for dinner.

"Are you sure your boyfriend won't mind you staying with my brother like this? He may say that he's ok with it, but won't he be awfully jealous?" Wade was asking anxiously.

Ren stood outside the door, amused.

"He won't," Fang replied firmly.

"How can you be so sure?" Wade demanded. "I know I'd be terribly jealous! Hell, if you were my boyfriend and staying with even my Big Brother, I'd be fuming - let alone a stranger who you'd saved, because the person you save would naturally be a little in love with you and staying with them would be dangerous!"

Fang shrugged. "Well, I don't really have a home to go back to."

"Can't you move in with your boyfriend?" Wade asked.

Ren was at his limit by now. He pushed open the door and announced, "He already has."

Wade blinked at him in confusion.

Ren wheeled himself over to Fang and took his hand possessively. "He has already moved in with his boyfriend," he told Wade.

Wade's jaw dropped open. "You...what...?!"

Ren raised an eyebrow. "Speechless, little brother?" he teased.

Wade jumped up from his seat. "Big Brother...you mean Fang is...Fang is dating you? You're his boyfriend?"

Ren nodded happily. "Aren't I lucky?"

Wade stared at the two of them blankly. "Are you serious?" he asked in a strange voice.

"Of course," Ren said.

"Big Brother! Fang's still only in high school! He's a minor!" Wade shouted.

Ren narrowed his eyes. "So?"

Wade let out a frustrated sound. "Aren't you...aren't you too...old for him?"

Fang frowned. "Ren is not old. We are only three years and three months apart," he said.

Wade froze. That was true...if his parents hadn't thrown Ren out, he would have been in college now. A college student and a high school student dating wouldn't really raise any eyebrows. Then he had an epiphany.

"Is that why Fang is in advanced class and wants to go to college next year?" Wade enquired.

"Yes," Ren said frankly. "Also, Fang is far smarter than most people your age."

"But...what about high school? Doesn't he want to stay for the full term and enjoy his school life?" Wade asked desperately.

Ren turned to Fang. "Do you?"

Fang shook his head. "I want to be with you as soon as I can," he said shyly.

Ren laughed happily and kissed the knuckles of the fair hand he held.

Wade stared at them in shock. "But you hardly know each other!" he protested.

Ren was a bit annoyed now. "What's your problem?" he snapped. "I like Fang and he likes me and we have chosen to be together. I don't see how it's any of your business to interfere in our relationships, nor do I see why you think you're in a position to object."

Wade fell silent. That was true...it wasn't in his place to say anything.

"Sorry, Big Brother. Sorry, Fang. I overstepped," he apologised.

"It's all right," Fang said softly. "I know that you are worried about your brother."

Wade felt guilty immediately. More than being concerned about his Big Brother, he had been concerned about Fang's love and wondering if he could convince him to shift his affection to himself instead.

Ren chuckled. "Wade, if you want to win over Fang's love, you have to do it on your own merits."

Wade stared at Ren. "If Fang does fall in love with me one day and wants to be with me instead, would you be able to let him go?"

At the thought of Fang wanting to leave him, Ren's chest ached. He remained silent for a long time. Then he said quietly, "I will respect Fang's decision. Always."

Wade's eyes lit up. "Really?"

Fang, on the other hand, eyed Ren warily.

"But that doesn't mean you can win over my boyfriend's affection so easily," Ren continued. "I'll love Fang with all my heart and I'll give him everything I have and I'll be so good to him that he won't ever want to break up with me!" He narrowed his eyes at Wade. "I've never fought with you for anything, little brother, and I've always given you whatever you wanted on a silver platter. But that doesn't apply to Fang. I'd rather give up my life before I give up Fang voluntarily! Unless Fang himself wants to leave me, I'll never let him go."

Wade shook his head ruefully. "Looks like you are really in love, Big Brother."

Ren simply smiled in response.

"It's the same for me," Fang spoke up. He fixed his purple gaze on Ren's golden eyes. "You know I don't value my life...but if it's for you, I'd even fight to live. I don't have much to give...but you, Ren, shall have my everything from now."

Ren was shocked as he looked into Fang's sincere eyes. His heart pounded in his chest like the drumbeats of a marching army. He had never felt like this before, and he probably never would, for anyone other than Fang.

"Oh, you," Ren mumbled, his eyes a pool of molten gold and reflecting the happiness that bubbled up within him. "Come here."

Fang smiled and hugged the older man. The air around them was so loving and filled with affection and care that it would move even the hardest of hearts!

Wade suddenly burst into tears. Ren and Fang looked at him, startled. They had almost forgotten than Wade was still in the room.

"This is so beautiful!" Wade wailed. "You two are so much in love! It's like watching a movie!" He realised that he didn't have a chance at all with Fang. Even if Ren and Fang had not known each other for a very long time, their feelings were very deep. It wouldn't be nice of him to butt in... besides, he owed both of them.