Awake

Yitian opened his eyes. He was lying in a bed. Where was he? He moved his eyes around the room. Hospital. He blinked away tears. Why was he here? And alone?

"He is awake!" someone shouted, and something on his left side moved. The black-haired head lifted up and those black eyes looked at him with relief. He wasn't alone after all.

"Finally, you are awake!" Chao said and smiled at Yitian. He took his hand and Yitian looked down. His eyes teared up again, but now he just let them cry. Chao stroked his hair and whispered comforting words.

"It's okay, you are okay. You were just overworked," someone on the other side said, Yitian turned his head to that side and saw Yixing sitting in a stiff position, with Huobai sleeping on his shoulder.

"I'm sorry I made you worried," Yitian said, and both Chao and Yixing nodded. Yitian knew it wouldn't work for long. He was so tired, but whenever he spent time with Chao, he felt energized, not tired at all.

He tried to get up, Chao immediately helped him up, holding his pillow and elevating his bed. Yitian looked around. Nice cozy room… he couldn't afford that.

"Before you start screaming at me, the room is already paid. And the second thing. I don't care that you hate my money. I decided. I won't listen to you and just use it to help you." Chao looked like he was sulking, and Yitian had to chuckle at that face. Chao knew him perfectly.

"You can't… " Yitian spoke up, but his voice was too hoarse. 'How long did I sleep?' he thought. Chao took the bottle and poured him water into a glass and dipped a straw in. Then he brought it to Yitian and held it for him.

And Yitian felt horrible. He wasn't invalid, although he felt a bit weak. He was perfectly fine to do it alone.

"I can do it my-"

"Shut it and let me do it!" Yitian was interrupted by Chao, who brushed his hands off and continued to hold the glass for him.

"Now, listen to me carefully," Chao said, one word at a time, put the glass back to the night table when Yitian was done. He looked at Yixing, who fell asleep and leaned his head on Huobai's head.

"You are my most precious friend," he whispered, leaned more to Yitian and took his hands into his own. "I never want to see you again like this… I never want to see you in the hospital bed again. Can you promise me?" Yitian was looking into Chao's deep black eyes.

"I-..." he wasn't able to say anything. He knew that when he would continue with both his part-time job at the architect's office, and play games at this pace, he would collapse again.

"Choose one. Choose your part-time job or play games. Don't look at money right now and choose." Chao squeezed Yitian's hands and smiled reassuringly.

Yitian laid back and closed his eyes. He felt the warmth of Chao's hands calming his mind, but at the same time, his heart was beating fast. In his heart, he knew the answer already.

"Play with you." Yitian whispered with his eyes still closed. He couldn't see the grin on Chao's face, showing his satisfaction.

"I already called Lei to prepare a contract for you. Welcome as a first official team member," Chao said, and Yitian looked at him, stunned.

"What? First member? What team?" he managed to get out of his mouth and Chao laughed.

"I have no idea. The team still doesn't have a name, but you are a member. You will get proper pay depending on how many hours you will play in the game, then it will be calculated by your adding to the guild and team prestige..." Chao was spitting out all the terms and conditions. But Yitian stopped listening to him.

Why he did that? Was it because Chao was really afraid of him? Was it because he was his friend? Or… could it be something else? Maybe all the things together?

But Yitian imagined how easier his life would be from now, and he couldn't help himself. He threw his hands around Chao and hugged him tightly. He was so happy that he even kissed Chao's cheek.

"Thank you. I l-..." Yitian stopped himself and pulled away from flabbergasted Chao.

"Well, that was sooner than I thought," sounded from the other side. Yixing was awake and grinning like an idiot.

"What do you mean?" Yitian asked, squinting as a warning to watch his word.

"Nothing. Just remember I was always rooting for you." Yixing raised his hands as if giving up and laughed. When he did that, his body slightly shook, and it woke up Huobai. Who looked around and when spotted sitting Yitian he hopped up and ran to him.

"Are you okay?" he asked worriedly, putting his hand on Yitian's forehead. "No fever…" he mumbled and took Yitian's head into his hands and moved it around a bit.

"You look a lot better. You can't do this to us. Chao was almost dead worried." Yixing breathed out and sat on the other side of bed.

Yitian looked at Chao amused, but Chao wasn't that amused by Huobai. He looked as if he wanted to shoot him right where he was sitting. Yitian squeezed his hand that he was still holding and smiled when Chao looked at him.

"Don't worry, I'll be okay now," Yitian said to both Huobai and Chao.

"Awwww," Huobai exclaimed and hugged Yitian. Now, it was time for Yitian to be surprised. He patted Huobai's back when Yixing got up and grabbed Huobai's collar and lifted him up.

"If you want to live till tomorrow, or have a place to sleep, come with me I will tell you something in detail." Yixing dragged him away and left Yitian and Chao there alone.

"So, when I can go home?" Yitian laughed and met with Chao's killer gaze.