The sound of birds chirping woke up Yang Yutao. It sounded so close, as if a bird was chattering about its day beside his ear. Even when he was living in the small apartment next to the Xiao siblings, he'd never felt so close to nature.
With a small frown, Yang Yutao turned himself toward the sound and forced his eyes open. There, standing with the balcony door halfway closed, was a tall man with black hair that he would recognize everywhere. He didn't say anything as he looked at the man's back.
What he didn't mention last night was that although everyone else knew where Xiao Yi was, he didn't. It was truly a surprise when he saw him in the middle of the street the other day.
In his mind, Xiao Yi had taken some space from everyone to spread his wings in the world after experiencing more than anyone should have to. Whether or not he ever saw him again, he would just be happy if the man was able to grow into himself when he was gone.
Since he'd moved out of the small apartment next to the Xiao siblings, he understood that he might not meet Xiao Yi unless he returned to the game or messaged him back, so he had been online every day without fail, whether he was on his computer in his new office or on the laptop in a hotel. There wasn't a day when he didn't log on and check the other man's ID to see if he'd been online recently.
Now that he was standing in front of him, with his back turned to him as he peacefully smoked on the balcony, Yang Yutao felt an inexplicable fear that if he made a sound, the other man would disappear again.
As if he could feel the gaze piercing into his back, Xiao Yi tilted his head and turned around slightly, vape still held in front of his lips. When he met Yang Yutao's gaze, he lowered his hand and walked back inside, apologizing. "Sorry if I woke you."
Yang Yutao shook his head and sat up, letting the blanket fall to his hips, and replied hoarsely. "It's fine, it was the birds."
"There's a cup of water." Xiao Yi pointed at the bedside table and added. "If you have a headache, I can grab something from the pharmacy."
Yang Yutao took a sip of the water and shook his head lightly. "I don't get hangovers easily."
"Me neither."
"Somehow…" Yang Yutao looked at the vein peaking out of Xiao Yi's temple. "I don't believe you."
Xiao Yi winced. "Is it that obvious?"
"Shouldn't I be the one to go get you something?"
"No, no. I took the last pill…"
Yang Yutao burst out laughing. "What if I was hungover?"
Xiao Yi held his hand to his temple and repeated. "I'd go get something for you." He glanced at the man who was sitting in his bed and stated. "If you want to get changed, just pick anything that fits."
A few minutes later, Xiao Yi was sitting on his couch while scrolling through his phone, when Yang Yutao opened the door. He glanced up and wondered aloud. "Those are my clothes?"
While they were almost the same height, Yang Yutao was slightly larger than Xiao Yi, which caused the black oversized sweater and sweatpants set he'd found in Xiao Yi's closet to look like they'd been custom-made for him. Neither too tight, nor too loose. Moreover, Xiao Yi thought that he wore the outfit better than he did.
Yang Yutao looked down at his clothes, then back at Xiao Yi. "If they aren't yours, do you think I climbed over to the neighbour's apartment and stole off their clothesline?"
Xiao Yi chuckled. Who taught this man to speak? Was he even human?
He didn't ask that; he only raised one eyebrow and playfully asked. "Did you?"
Yang Yutao played into it. He leaned against the doorframe and said seriously. "I hope they don't come looking for them later, it's comfortable."
Xiao Yi noticed the glimmer in the man's eyes and said. "You're going to give those back."
"Nope."
"I like that outfit."
"Me too. I'll let you borrow one of mine next time."
"Next time?"
"Exactly."
"You're…" Xiao Yi passed a hand through his hair in defeat. "Unbelievable."
Yang Yutao nodded in agreement. "That's right. When do you want to drink at mine? I have a few bottles of aged whiskey sitting at home."
Xiao Yi leaned forward. "Aged whiskey?"
"Yes."
Actually, Xiao Yi wasn't too concerned about his outfit. It was just fun bantering with the other man. He wouldn't pass up the chance to try some old whiskey and steal some clothes, though. "When and where?"