'You-'

Grandmother breathed out fast. Her eyes wide, gaping at Tin's uncomfortable stand, one of her hands on her chest calming her down from the shock. She eyed him up and down and behind him, she looked for Can. But she noticed, it was just the latter. She was sure that it could've been a panic attack for her, but somehow she managed herself to stand still with her back erect. And they were only inches apart. Only divided by a few steps, but huge gap. Her eyes were nowhere looking at Tin but here and there, they couldn't make it to look into his eyes.

She licked her lips and they twitched. The saliva hanging from the top of her mouth to beneath of her tongue faintly disappeared, but Tin just stood there still, one of his hand grasping the wooden wall to not fall as his tall height didn't compromised the small stairs. He noticed, the old woman's eyes were very red, and her face wet with the sorrowing tears, he knew. He just did. And yes, he indeed was impatient to ask her about what, after that was said and done his parents called now? And what do they finally need from him? And just this wasn't new to him, it had been done long before.

His mother used to only call him for her parties to show him off, and his father for about his studies and that was it. But this was different, they knew he wasn't there. They knew he was absent, and the whole thing didn't made sense with him. He didn't even care if he had to abandon his last name and live as a commoner with his lover.

'I was just thirsty..'

He spoke and his hand made a fist with his veins popping out, his eyebrows furrowing as he looked at her for an answer. He didn't knew how to start a conversation as he was certain, for she was smart. She would surely tell him, and that he could rely on her.

'Y-yes, surely, son. Come..' She finally spoke and led him, with her half hearty smile, wiping her tears from her face, hearing Tin's big and heavy steps behind of her. The boy's eyes seemed to fall on the old man passed out on the couch, but the heavy and grief thoughts on his head couldn't ask why, he didn't stopped and went on. And as they together entered the kitchen, she signaled Tin to settled himself on the chair which was fairly quite small for him, but he had managed. Certain that the chair belonged to Yang Xi.

The water filling the glass was quiet and pleasant in the silence, but it was the opposite, the eerie sound of insects was still heard outside of the house. And ever since Tin had eavesdropped the conversation between The Grandmother and his parents, his sleep went away and he was fully awake in the dark. The slow slam of the glass on the table before him made him come out of his loud thinking. And without any thank Tin only smiled ruefully, pitying himself.

Grandmother, on the other hand sat opposite of him on the dining chair slowly. Her fingers were playing with one another, and her anxiety was surely visible. And she couldn't understand how she could talk with him after spending so many days of peace.

'I'm sorry..,' Tin begun, which The Grandmother was expecting, she opened her mouth to say something but Tin cut her off with respect, 'I shouldn't have eavesdropped..'

'No, no..' The old woman only could whisper merely, she shook her head lighter and with her lips trembling she spoke, 'You have the whole right, Tin. You see, your parents, they-'

'Are coming here?' He cut her off. His eyebrows furrowed, his voice stern but yet very soft. And this wasn't what he was expecting, no. He would not increase problems for Can's family. This was the only thought in his mind. That he would not increase problems for Can's family.

'No, no, of course they're not. I-I refused, you see, they just want you back..' She whispered the last part, for she didn't knew the boy's reaction if she said that. Their personalities were strikingly similar, and yet they found it difficult to communicate.

And she saw, Tin was sulking like a small boy who didn't got his candy, his still shoulders made a fall and his back fell. And by this it would've been an hour already, the time was very fast and Tin hated this. He remained quiet for a few minutes but the old woman's eyes didn't left the latter's. She looked at him constantly for a mere sight of movement among his lips and jaw but he kept quiet. She was expecting an answer, be it a no. She would convince him, surely.

'I don't-..'

'Listen to me!' Grandmother almost yelled without any argument among them. Her sudden yelling made Tin jump at the sight. No, she wasn't raging with anger, but sorrow. She stared intensely at the boy who seemed to decline the love he was about to get after many years of waiting. And he didn't seemed to knew, nor did he want to know what was the ultimate interest of the old woman to reunite him with his family. As far he could ask, he was very much happy with Can.

And the realization just hit her, she begun, 'No, Uh. I'm sorry, but Tin. Please, they begged okay? They really do but I don't know whether you should go, but you should, I suppose. Frankly Tin, I'm just really tired of you both trying to run away constantly from these people.., I just can't see you suffering, hm? Just a little talk would do, no?'

And this was just when she thought she was mad, she wasn't sure herself. And constantly keeping herself into Tin's shoes all the time was so relatable to her, that she wasn't able to put the correct words into sentences to explain it to him. And he knew, for even he didn't knew her story.

And their ted talk went on for two more hours and she was fully in confidence to convince Tin and Can to send back, and even after Tin fighting back, he gave in. She offered him milk at the early morning. He didn't refused her kind request and drank it quietly like a small child. He had to, he was so tired of running away constantly, pushing Can every now and then with his problems and being selfish. He didn't want to be a nuisance to his lover's family and so he agreed.

He laid beside caressing his face, moving away his bangs to take a better look into his calm sleeping face. Oh, how he loved this person. How come his silliness might end up being so important to him. And how he would never want to leave him. And by that time, it would take only two hours to be six A.M. and yet, he didn't wanted to escape such view. He was stroking his hair totally forgetting the talk with the latter's grandmother, not a single hint of anxiety on his face which was just before a few hours ago. Indeed, Can was a relaxation to him. He planted a soft kiss on his nose and hugged him tightly as tears softly fell onto Can's clothes shoulder. And with some few drops he fell asleep slowly.

And the morning came unnoticed, there was clattering of dishes in the kitchen, and all the members of the house were awake. Grandmother stood making tea and preparing milk for everyone as she told about the uninvited call to her husband. And as she had expected, he definitely made a huge uproar out of it. Thankfully, as what Grandmother didn't wished, the children didn't hear anything.

'That what they said?!'

'Oh be quiet, will you?' She snapped back, but the latter didn't as he threw curses under his breath constantly. He banged his hand on the table and his jaw clenched. 'They might as well use some trick you watch!' He was very much right, she thought. This might as well be some of their tricks, but they didn't seemed off on the call. She kept talking with him while preparing the table for breakfast.

'Maybe.., I don't know. They seemed sure and genuine about it, though. But you see, I think we may discuss it further with both the boys y'know-'

'You want to talk? They both almost lost their lives!' And that really shut her up. She pursed her lips at that. She sided her face at the sink again as she couldn't look into his eyes. This time her husband took the lead, and she accepted her defeat.

The breakfast went quieter than usual, except only Can, Yang Xi and Li Yu were talkative. Tin didn't said anything to Can, upon his reaction. He thought it would be better if he just stays out of it. On the breakfast table as he had ate, there were many glance talking among the old couple and him, which the three loud people didn't noticed. They remained quiet and talked to the other three like there wasn't anything unusual. Everything was on its place, well that's what they made them think. As Tin was an expert in body language, he knew, that the old couple would et Can know, and that it'll be alright.

'That's what they said? huh?' Can interrogated Tin as they packed their bags. They were going back, finally. Can laid on the bed while lazily packing his stuff, Tin on the other hand was focused on his. He felt the questioning eyes on him, and he didn't knew how he could explain it to him. They had talked about it as soon and they had entered their room after the breakfast. Tim settled him quietly on the bed and when he explained it to Can. He jumped loudly roaring on his bed.

'Yes..' Tin could only speak much of that, and the latter sensed that. He had been eager to go back and punch Tul once more, but unfortunately, Tin warned him not to speak in between for he didn't want any problem for his little lover.

'Hey,' Tin heard a voice above him and as he turned turned, his lips were pressed by another pair. And he didn't deepened it, he didn't had to. And he just stood there with his hands on Can's waist and slowly Can pushed his tongue into Tin's mouth and the latter responded fondly with pure innocence. And this time their tongues weren't at war, there was only peace. And syncing their heads made it intimate. Tin's breath hitched and slowly he parted away. He brought Can's head below his as he kissed smaller's closed eyes and chuckled. 'I really fancy you...'

'Me too..' And so Can went on with his packing too. He kept glancing at Tin with a hint of blush on his scarlet cheeks and as Tin teased him, he punched on his shoulder lightly. They spent their day laying on the bed talking about the previous happy moments they shared. It had been a long time since they made love and both of them didn't knew it. They didn't had a need to make love to show how much the partner loved another. Pure kisses and innocence seemed just fine.

It was decided that they were going to departure from the village that night, and both of them felt miserable about it. But it cannot be helped. And again it would be Tin and his family issues. The timing of departure was decided by The Grandfather, as he didn't wanted any interrogation by the villagers during the afternoon and besides, it would give them some time to spend moments with one another.

And again they stood at the door of the huge house which was once filled with the four children's laugh and happiness, but for Tin once more it would go away. Can held onto his hand and smiled reassuringly. The Grandfather was waiting for both of them in the car, with his cane and a wore very nice padded clothing for the winter. Though Tin had refused that there wasn't any need for him to come, he declined that there was indeed a need for him to. Can tapped Tin's shoulder and went inside the car just out of the house. Unlike before, it was permitted inside.

Grandmother brought Tin's height to her and hugged him very tightly with small sobs. 'I would really miss you..' Tin too hugged her back with less force and said, 'Me too..'. He caressed her back and held her as she continued to sob and after a few minutes calmed down. There were, of course tears in Tin's eyes upon so much of love he got from her. But he held them back, for he should must be strong at the moment. He released her and there was a puddle of tears on Tin's shoulder. He moved towards Li Yu and Yang Xi clutching onto the small bag which contained Li Yu's borrowed clothes and some snacks given to him for the long ride.

'I would see you soon, hm?'

'Surely, of course. Maybe in a short time, you see I hate going back..' The sudden honest confession of Tin made Li Yu startled. Yang Xi gave a huge laugh aloud as she punched Tin's shoulder hard. Tin hissed in pain a little and laughed it off in response. 'You better do. Grandfather would come back, so perhaps toy could come with him...' Yang Xi suggested and Tin nodded, 'The seems good, but I've missed a lot of my classes. I have to work on those first...' He bid them bye and say in the car. He looked at the seat before him, Man was on the drivers seat.

'Huh..?'

The latter furrowed his eyebrows and turned towards Can who sat beside him, but the small man was asleep already. 'No time to waste, let's go...' Grandfather spoke out of blue as he fixed his clothing in the closed car. He glanced back and smiled at Tin which he returned hesitantly. Tin kept his bag in the middle along with Can's. He looked out of the window on Can's side, he saw three small people waving at them, one of them still sobbing onto their handkerchief. Without any notice, the car started which gave Tin a sudden jolt.

'Get some sleep, son. You look very tired..' Grandfather spoke looking upon Tin's upset face.

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