Is love enough?

The weatherman called for it to be 33 degree Celsius by noon today. With the schools AC broken and only working in the gym, library and the cafeteria the administration let the students out on a half day.

 Cheng En and Yu Hao were on their way to the gym. They were discussing the early practice that the coach requested they do today.

"Isn't it great the coach is letting us practice early today since the school let us out early?" Yu Hao said excitedly

"Yes it's wonderful." Cheng En muttered sarcastically.  "I didn't want to maybe go home and sleep or go out to eat or anything.  I mean we won our last two games don't we deserve a break." He whined.

Cheng En shook his head "I'm kidding.  Coach is great. Volleyball is great. Hard work is good.  Lazy is bad. Eating is bad. As your Captain that is the finally word."

Yu Hao not surprised and used to this senior attitude about practise , saluted him. "Aye Aye Captain."

They were almost at the gym when Yu Hao became serious.  "I wanted your opinion about something Senior."

"Your voice is too serious and you called me senior.  Should I be scared? I feel scared." Cheng En exclaimed backing away from Yu Hao

Yu Hao smiled and shook his head at him. "Captain I just have a question that's all."

"Oh well that's easy here are my answers. Yes. No. Six times. I won't lend you money. On the weekends. Purple. Moonlight walks and two." Cheng En promptly answered

Confusion was on Yu Hao face, "What were all of those?"

"Answers to questions people usually asked me.  I thought I should throw out every answer and you choose which one fits your question." Cheng En sounded proud that he thought of that.

"None of those are my answers, thanks.  My question is. Wait a minute what is the question to the answer six times."

Cheng En leaned in close and whispered.  "If I tell you, I might have to kill you"

"You know what, never mind.  You are getting me off track here. My question is about volleyball.  Do you think I should learn more than one position? Right now I'm only a Setter.  I was thinking if I learned more position I will be a greater asset to the team. What do you think?"

"Yu Hao why do you only want to talk about things related to volleyball? As your senior I can help you with all things not just about Volleyball."

"You are the captain of the volleyball team Cheng En.  I'm supposed to come to you for volleyball question. And also we can talk about other things anytime.   Go ahead let's talk about something else."

"Ok.  How about the weather.   Isn't it a nice warm day outside?"

"The weather is perfect. To play a nice round of volleyball."

"OK let's talk about relationships.   Are you and Xuan getting on well?"

"Absolutely we are together all the time and we talk about volleyball?"

"What about academics.  Are your classes doing well?"

"As a matter of fact they are because Zi Xuan is my tutor. And as you know if my grades are bad I can't play…."

"Don't say it.  You won ok.    Gosh I didn't realize Xuan rubbed off on you so much.  He birthed a mini him, another Volleyball geek is born.  Long live the king. Go out into the world my child and multiply. Spread the joy of volleyball to the world." He pushed Yu Hao into the gym.

Yu Hao had a smile on his face at the thought of seeing his Zi Xuan. Seeing him always filled him up with excitement. He hasn't been able to see his boyfriend in over a week because of his stupid failing science grade.  

They kind of didn't part on positive terms before the week long isolation.  Yu Hao just had another run in with the director of the school because of fighting.  

The director and the coach agreed that he will be taken off the team if he had one more infraction.  Zi Xuan the love of his life agreed with them.

"They were picking on someone smaller. I just scared them a little. It wasn't even a really bad fight."  Yu Hao implored Zi Xuan to understand while changing into his uniform.

"Even if your fighting was for a noble cause the fact of the matter is you still fought which is against the rules." Xi Xuan never bending said.

"Sometimes Zi Xuan you really annoy me." Yu Hao said slamming his locker shut.

"I'm sorry what?"Zi Xuan folded his arm.

"You only see things as right or wrong or black and white.  There is no middle ground with you. It's very frustrating. Some things can also be a light gray color you know. Lighten up some."

"Don't you think I get pissed with you as well."

"How can I make you mad. I'm the perfect boyfriend."

"Your ego notwithstanding.  How about how lightly you take things sometimes.  Your short temper and your jealousy are just some of my major pet peeves about you."

"Wow you had a list. You must have thought about this a lot.  First point I am very serious about a lot of things now. School work, the team and you.  Secondly I don't have a quick temper. I am very passionate about different subject and let it out in and excitable way.   As for jealousy i don't remember that when was I ever jealous."

"last week when Shin ja Kai needed me to explain a move to him. You barge in and pushed him on the ground"

"no that was different. He was all close to you. You should have seen the smile and the lusty look on his face as he looked at you."

"Lusty look. Are you serious? So instead of trusting me. You automatically assume me and every guy i talk to only talks to me because they secretly wants me. Contrary to popular belief my knowledge and my skills are what most people want from me."

"I know you are talented it's one of the things i found so attractive about you.  And i do trust you. Just not anyone else around you." Yu Hao assured.

"You are not listening to a word I've  said." throwing up his hands Zi Xuan walked away.

So yeah to say that their last conversation wasn't the best would be putting it lightly.

"Speaking of our great and powerful leader there is Zi Xuan now."

Zi Xuan was indeed in the gym already as well as half of the team doing warm ups.  Nothing was strange about that. No that wasn't strange at all. The thing that got Yu Hao attention and gave him pause was the guy hooked on to Zi Xuan arm and squeezing onto his side.  From here the guy looked to be as tall as Zi Xuan. A student more than likely because he had on the same uniform as theirs.  It wasn't a student that Yu Hao recognize. Was he a transfer in like he was?  This guy if Yu Hao was honest and he didn't want to be looked fairly handsome.

And that handsome man was touching his Zi Xuan arm. Is he putting his arm around his waist now to and whispering something in Zi Xuan ear?  Yu Hao eyes filled with hatred and a frown formed on his lips. He disliked this man on sight. He was going to remove the offending limbs right now by any means necessary.

Wait. Yu Hao had to stop himself.  His face was started to turn red and he had to take deep calming breath before he acted rashly without knowing all of the facts. Zi Xuan told him to stop being so jealous all of the time.   And Yu Hao would get kick off the team if he got into another fight. So calming down was important. It was just taking a long time to do it .

"Cheng En who is that?" He said in a low menacing voice.

Cheng En was talking to another teammate when he turned and questioned, "Who?"

Yu Hao grabbed Cheng En arm pulled him over to his side and pointed a finger at touchy feely guy.

"Oh that's just Du Zi Feng." He said dismissively and started to turn around back to the previous conversation.

"OK and I'm supposed to know who that is because."  Getting frustrated by the minute because that Du ZI Feng person was readjusting Zi Xuan glasses on his face. One more touch and he is going to lose it.  The colors at the back of his eyes were already flashing different colors. First yellow, then orange, then orange red. When it flashes red everyone should run.

Understanding dawn in Cheng En eyes and he snapped his fingers.  "That's right. I forgot this is your first year here and you haven't been to practice since last week because of your project.  How is that going by the way do you think you will pass?"

"My project be damn. Who is that?"

"Gee. I already said that is Du Zi Feng.  He started on the volleyball team the same year as Xuan and I did.  He loves volleyball as much as Xuan does. We were really inseparable and became instant friends.  Until his father took another job last year and moved his family away. We just found out last week actually that he got transferred back to this school. He apparently told his dad that he wanted to spend his senior year of school here.   So he is back on the team and we will definitely be in the top 4 this year."

Yu Hao asks the next questions in a smaller voice, "And what position does he play?"

"Every position but his main position it's the same as yours" He says as he walks away getting enveloped into a hug by Du Zi Feng as well.

Ok brain. Did you see that? He hugged Cheng En just as long and in the same way he hugged your Zi Xuan.  Did you see? There is absolutely nothing to be upset about. They are just friends this Du Zi Feng does not want Zi Xuan.  Right just friends. Just keep telling yourself that. Yu Hao planted a smile on his face and joined the rest of the team.

By weeks end the just friend's motto wasn't believable anymore. Yu Hao couldn't even get anytime alone to talk to Zi Xuan. Du Zi Feng was everywhere Zi Xuan was.  At first Yu Hao played it cool and tried to be understanding.

Du Zi Feng and Zi Xuan haven't seen each other in a while and they had a lot to catch up on.   They were best friends at one point like Zi Xuan and Cheng En are and he was ok with those two being together. We're not going to bring up how jealous he was at first of Cheng En and Zi Xuan relationship.  They were very close for a reason because Xiao Xiao wanted them to be gay for her Manga. Now knowing that Cheng En is in love with Xiao Xiao and is not after his Zi Xuan. They can hang out as much as they want. But this guy was just always close to Xuan for no reason.

At lunchtime the whole team usually sits at a table together. Since he came along, Du Zi Feng has started sitting right next to Xuan, sharing food with him and just being super helpful.  He monopolized the conversation and everyone hung on his every words. While Yu Hao sat at the far end gloomy picking over his food and not really tasting anything. Barely contributing anything to the conversation.

Then there was practice time.  A time Yu Hao used to look forward to because it housed his two favorite things Zi Xuan and volleyball.  But since Du Zi Feng came back on the team and just so happens to play the same position he did it was only natural for them to give his spot back to him.  He was the experience player and we have to do what was best for the team. Yada Yada Yada. Yu Hao was move to alternate only allowed to play if Du Zi Feng broke a leg, an arm, or his neck. All things Yu Hao would love to assist him in.   

Shower time with this guy was horrifying.  Du Zi Feng was already good looking in the face so what does he do.  Show off the rest of his perfectly toned body and six pack that's what. He would intentionally walk around with the smallest towel on around his waist.  It was hung so low on his hips it looked like it might fall off at any moment. He would go to people dressed in only that towel and talk to them, joke around with them, butt slap them. Oh let's not forget the dragon tattoo fully displayed on his shoulder.   Aren't we supposed to be wholesome high schoolers? As bad as Yu Hao was in the past he wasn't crazy enough to get a tattoo while in high school.

What made it worst was how good Du Zi Feng was as a player.  He really was as good as Cheng En claim he was. So he wasn't just a pretty boy with no talent.  He had the skills to back it up. Watching old clips of the team playing together you can see the unspoken communication between them as they moved the ball.  It was beautiful how harmonious they played together. It broke something inside of Yu Hao. He knew one of the emotions was envy because Zi Xuan and he will never be able to play together like that because of Zi Xuan injury.

Everything about this too perfect guy rubbed Yu Hao the wrong way.  You could say it was the jealousy talking but the fact that Yu Hao couldn't find a single flaw on him suggested something had to be wrong but it was hidden too deep.  The longer it took for him to find a flaw the more pissed off he got.

It's now been two weeks since the alien invasion.   He hasn't had a single  minute alone with his Zi Xuan. If Xuan isn't busy with school, Du Zi Feng is always around him.    The black cloud in his heart grew bigger and larger with each passing day.   His thoughts are always about them. He couldn't focus on school or at work. When he takes time to think about it  he knows that he can't compete against their shared history. He can't compare with Du Zi Feng looks and built. He doesn't know if he would ever be able to compete with his skill levels in the game.  The only thing he has to give Zi Xuan is his love and is that enough for someone who deserved more.

Zhen Wen and Zhen Wu, who he could normally talk to in all matters, didn't help to improve his sour mood. They actually made it worst.     All they could talk about was Du Zi Feng this and senior Du Zi Feng that.

Du Zi Feng is going to help me with my ball handling. Senior Du Zi Feng is the 7th best player in the region.   Du Zi Feng, Du Zi Feng, Du Zi Feng.   If one more person talks about this dude he was going to stick his foot up there bottom.

So first this guy is monopolizing his boyfriend's attention. Yu Hao was trying to be the bigger person and not beat the hell out of him for that.  Knowing how much Xuan hated his tendency for jealousy. He didn't want to embarrass Xuan with it so he dialed back his anger every time he saw them together.

Du Zi Feng is stealing Yu Hao best friends away as well but knowing Zhen Wen and Zhen Wu personalities that wasn't too hard to do in the first place.  

Du Zi Feng goes and take away his second love volleyball. He could kill him for that also but he was trying to change his nature. One if he got into a fight he would lose volleyball anyway so it was a no winners. No he was more mature than that. He can swallow his rage and his hurt feeling to act like the mature person that he thought Zi Xuan wanted.

The last and final straw for Yu Hao came at the end of the week.  Being so distracted by his jealousy that the science project he was supposed to have turn in today was completely forgotten.  He had to run back to his house to go pick it up and getting his text book out the locker in the locker room where he left it.   Yu Hao came face to face with the nightmare. The one he had been dreading since meeting Du Zi Feng.

Zi Xuan injury must have been bothering him. He was on the bench with a warm towel over it and a pain expression on his face. Du Zi Feng was giving him a massage.

"You over did it. It's my fault. I shouldn't have egged you on.  I sometime forget about this and it just seems like old times again."

"How are you at fault?  I started to take it seriously.  Hot Hot. It's too hot." Zi Xuan said wondering if he should call Yu Hao because the pain goes away much quicker when he did this.

Du Zi Feng flipped the warm towel over to the cooler side.  "Sorry. I'm actually kind of glad this happen." Trying to massage the muscles but having a hard times because he wasn't really good at it.

"You're glad I'm in pain.  Prick." Zi Xuan punched him lightly in the arm. "Just move. I can do it better mayself."  Zi Xuan pushed him out the way and took over the task of massaging his own leg.

"Not glad that you're in pain.  I'm glad that we finally got some alone time. You always seem to be surrounding by someone at all times. If it's not Cheng En or Xiao Xiao, it's the team.   Do you get a break from being the Manager for everyone?"

Bewildered Zi Xuan said, "But I am the Manager of the team."

"But that's not all you are. We use to do other things besides volleyball. Remember your score on table ice hockey."

"How could I forget?  I beat you so bad you had to carry my books around for me for three weeks."

"See that was fun.  You don't have that anymore."  Getting into the remembered past he started pacing the floor.

"Oh course not Feng we are seniors now not kids.  We have exams, volleyball games and other pressures to deal with. What little time I have life I spend with my friends." Zi Xuan slowly stood up testing the leg out.  He still felt a little pain so he sat back down.

"OK what about relationships. You can't say you don't have time for that. Even Xiao Xiao and Cheng En are dating."

"What is this about Feng? Why is my life or lack thereof so important to you?"

"I like you."

"Ok. I like you to so."

"Like isn't the right word to use." Du Zi Feng became irritated because Zi Xuan wasn't getting it.

"I love you. Not as a friend.  I have been in love with you since before we join the volleyball team.  I have been trying to be the man for you to take care of you and then my stupid father moved me away. I wasn't going to let him keep me away from you so I came back here to live with relative."

"What? You never said anything like this?" Zi Xuan was confused.  Where did this come from?

"Because I didn't feel it was the right time to tell you.  But I can't let someone else have you. You're mine." He walked over to Zi Xuan hurled him up until they were face to face and moved his lips in for a kiss.

Yu Hao didn't see anything after that because he blacked out.  That had to have been what happen to Yu Hao because when he came back to reality he was sitting in class with Zhen Wen and Zhen Wu. He couldn't remember how he got there or what happen after he saw the. No he can't say the word.  If he says it it's real and it can't be real because Zi Xuan loves him.

"You ready for lunch dude?" Zhen Wen asked him.

"Huh. Yeah.  Sure."

"Don't sound so excited about it."

"No I'm ready.  But I don't want to be around a lot of people lets go to the roof."

"OK."

Grabbing their lunch bag they went out.   

"Bro what's with you? You have been spaced out all day. At first I thought it was one of your Zi Xuan comas but you haven't uttered his name once."

"When the saying goes if you love someone set them free are they thinking about the person doing the setting free? Are they thinking about how much they will be destroy by the pain to even think about the other person with someone else. How can you be happy watching someone else kiss where you kissed and touch where you touched?  How can you smile again? But if you are selfish and make the other person miserable how can you be happy about that? There is no way both parties can be happy in this situation."

"Woah. What? Bro you are freaking me out here.  Let what go and who. Are you breaking up with Manager?"Zhen Wen was completely confused.

"Isn't it apparent that he is talking about manager?"

"But why?"

"I think it has something to do with Du ZI Feng." Zhen Wu said,

"What does the new senior have to do with Zi Xuan?" Zhen Wen just wasn't getting it.

"So it wasn't just my imagination that he was getting super close to Zi Xuan. You saw it to Zhen Wu."

"When did he get close to him? Am I missing something? Zhen Wu you saw something and didn't say anything." Zhen Wu looked a little sheepish.

"Don't' take this the wrong way but sometimes you are a little self-center Wen." Yu Hao mentioned.

"Dude." Zhen Wen said surprised he never saw himself as self-centered.

"Anyway, unlike my little brother.  I'm very observant about things that might have something to do with him directly."

"Why would it have something to do with me?"

"Yu Hao looked as if he was ready to fight someone soon.  Anytime Yu Hao fight you jumped in so I wanted to be ready."

"Zhen Wu." Zhen Wen grazed adoringly at Zhen Wu.

Yeah totally forgot all about me just that quick.  Yup you aren't' self-centered at all Yu Hao thought. "Guys focus. What should I do?"

"Other than the usually stuff that Zhen Wu saw was there anything else in particular."

"They kissed."

HAHA Zhen Wen burst out laughing and Zhen Wu cracked a smile.

"Why are you laughing? I'm serious."

"Come on we are talking about cookie cutter Zi Xuan.  The guy that gets upset when you skip class. The guy that told you he would breakup with you if you fought again. Are you sure they kissed?"

"I was there I saw it with my own eyes. I wish I didn't see it." Yu Hao ended up telling them what happen early in the locker room and everything that happen after that.

"wow. Zhen Wu your thoughts."

"I got nothing helpful."

"See if you guys can't help me what am I supposed to do."

"Well if you think about it you should have seen this coming."

"Excuse me." Disbelief in Yu Hao voice

"I hate to say this.   But think about it. You liked Zi Xuan first right.  You confess to him first. You kissed him first. You initiated skinship first. Maybe you like him way more then he liked you."

"No he accepted my confession." He refuted him.

"You even told us that no one ever confessed to him before.  Maybe he just said yes because you were his first. Now he has an option to pick the person he wants."

"I'm going to beat the crap out of you." Grabbing Zhen Wen shirt front and pulling him up.

Zhen Wu jumped up as well and pulled Yu Hao hand off his brother.

"Calm down Yu Hao.  Zhen Wen didn't steal your boyfriend.  Don't take your angry out on him."

"Sorry I don't know what came over me. I have had weeks of pent up anger and rage just building up unable to be released.   I've been holding all this in and I'm about to pop and now you're saying he never really like me."

"I know it's hard for you to take but I didn't think you had anything in common from the start.  But because my best friend was happy. I push all of my misgiving to the side and was happy for you. I mean after you confessed he came with his sister for her confession to you i thought your feeling for him would go away.  In Zi Xuan world there is Volleyball, his sister, school, his family, Cheng En and now Du Zi Feng."

"So you left me out of the list because I was never on it right." Sadness engulf Yu Hao because even he believes that is Zi Xuan list of priorities.

"Dude I'm sorry.  If my self-center behind notice that wouldn't everyone else have notice more. If it's any consolation.  I think you are way better looking than Du Zi Feng. Anyway, I'm sorry that you got dumped." Zhen Wen patted him on the back.

He wasn't any less conflicted after talking it out with them.  The only thing that was crystal clear is that he needed better friends.

RING RING

"It's the bell lets go back to class." they packed up their stuff and headed back to class.

Class ended quickly with Yu Hao not retaining anything and by the end of the day Yu Hao was just ready to go home.

In the hallway Zhen Wen and Zhen Wu turned right but Yu Hao turn left.

"Bro the gym is this way." Zhen Wen joked that Yu Hao was going the wrong way.

"I'm not going to the gym today."

"Not going but we have a game today of course you are going."

"No I'm going home."

"Dude if this is about Zi Xuan I was kidding. I'm sure it's all just a misunderstanding." Zhen Wen pleaded and gave his brother a look as if to say something to help.

"The team should be a separate entity from your relationship.  It has been since the beginning. That's what senior would have wanted" Zhen Wen held his head down and shook his head after his brother said that.  Good one Wu. He thought Not everyone can separate their emotions for the greater good like you

"This isn't right.   You love volleyball now like my idiot brother here.   You carry that ball that Manager gave around with you everywhere you go like another arm but you're not coming to a game."

"Will it make you both feel better if I say I'm sick?  My head is pounding, my chest is tightening and I'm dizzy.  I'm going home. Beside I'm an alternate. I'm only needed if Master of the entire universe doesn't show up.  How likely is that to happen? Later." Yu Hao headed out the school.

"We need to tell someone." Zhen Wen and Zhen Wu rushed off to the gym.

"Cheng En.  We need to talk to you."

Cheng En turned around with a look of relief. "Good you guys are here I was starting to worry.  Hurry and go get change."

"Us getting change isn't important right now.   Yu Hao isn't coming." Zhen Wen rushed out.

"Wait what do you mean Yu Hao isn't coming.  He has to play today. We don't have time for this. What happen?"

Zhen Wen explained to Cheng En everything that Yu Hao told them today.

"Yu Hao saw that." Cheng En thought that this was unbelievable.

"You know about the kiss."

"Yeah I hear about it.  Zi Xuan told me after it happen because Du Zi Feng quit the team."

"He quit."

"Yeah that is why we needed Yu Hao here.  He is the alternate for Du Zi Feng. This is too much now we have to have a replacement for Yu Hao. Let me go tell Zi Xuan." Cheng En found Zi Xuan talking to the coach.  He pulled him away.

"Zi Xuan we have a problem."

"What."

"We need to find a replacement for Yu Hao. He isn't coming and the game starts in 15 minutes."

Zi Xuan not worried said, "Just wait a few minutes he should be here soon."

"No he went home. He is gone."

"Why did he go home all of a sudden?" puzzlement in his voice.

"He went home saying he was sick.  But I think it has something to do with Du Zi Feng trying to kiss you."

"What? How would he know about that we were in the locker room alone?"

"Zhen Wen said that Yu Hao saw it. He was there."

"Are you sure? Yu Hao would've come in and pulled us apart like he does everyone that gets close to me." This didn't make sense.  Why would Yu Hao see that and leave. ZI Xuan pulls out his phone and dial Yu Hao's number.

The person you are calling is unavailable.

Did Yu Hao not see the part where the kiss didn't happen or how he told Du Zi Feng in no uncertain term to not touch him.

"Well he didn't come in Xuan.  He saw it and walked away. Zhen Wen just told me."

"This doesn't make any sense." Dialing the number again.  "You call him too Cheng En."

"No time for that now coach is coming over."

"Are you guys ready get the team together?"

ZI Xuan wasn't ready to begin.  He checked his watch 10 minutes left to the start of the game.   He had to find Yu Hao. Something like this shouldn't be left to linger pushing a wedge between them.  

His mind refused to focus on the game today.  This was all his fault.  Zi Xuan just couldn't understand how he didn't see that Du Zi Feng liked him and that Yu Hao was miserable.  Is he that slow that he can't tell when someone is flirting with him? He didn't realize that Yu Hao liked him the whole time.   Maybe he was just clueless about others feelings.

He became aware that he didn't sit with Yu Hao for lunch like he normally would have been. But that didn't mean he wasn't aware of his present at all times.  He kept glancing at the end of the table hoping that he could get a smile or something from him.

Yes he was glad to have Feng back and they did catch up on some stuff but he didn't think it was a good move to make Yu Hao the alternate.  And no that wasn't his bias talking. Yu Hao has worked hard for his spot on thr team and Feng shouldn't have just been able to take it away. But by a team vote they chose Du Zi Feng to take Yu Hao place. He should have went to his boyfriend then to see if he was alright but at practice the next day he came in with a big smile on his face so he thought everything was fine.

Normally practice was Zi Xuan favorite time of the day and not just for volleyball anymore.

Since Yu Hao joined the volleyball team all of the practice and exercise that Yu Hao had to do made his body toned up in all the right places recently.

After practice just the other day Yu Hao lifted the hem of his shirt up to wipe away the extra sweat dripping on his face.   Zi Xuan nearly had a heart attack and dropped the clipboard he had in his hand when he saw it. He had to hastily pick it up again and use it to fan his face.   The room was feeling very hot and stuffy all of the sudden like someone turn the AC off.

Xiao Xiao turned and looked at him with concern. "Are you alright Xuan?"

"Yes. I'm great. Wonderful. Is it hot in here to you? I feel really warm." Feeling his forehead and cheeks.

She looked over at Cheng En. "Really I thought it was a little too cold today. Even Cheng En grabbed a jacket and said it was colder than the North Pole in here." In a perfect Imitation of Cheng En voice.

Yu Hao who was noticing the interaction across the room ran over with worry in his eyes and laid his hand on Zi Xuan forehead and said "Are you overheated? Let me get you some water."

He is hot and sweaty from practice and Yu Hao was more worry about him. That was so like him.

Zi Xuan pulled Yu Hao hand off his forehead and lean close to his ear to whisper "It's you that is bringing the heat in the gym. Keep your shirt down and stop giving everyone a show before I make you do 300 net jumps."

Far from being intimidated by the senior warning Yu Hao smiled a confident smile and said, "Don't worry Xuan I save the best stuff for your eyes only."

Zi Xuan hit him in the arm with the clipboard and told him to hit the showers.    

*************************

Was Yu Hao jealous this whole time about Zi Feng? It is possible since Feng did monopolize most of Zi Xuan time.  Since dating Yu Hao Zi Xuan has experience his own moments of jealousy for Yu Hao.

How could Zi Xuan forget the first time.

A short hair second year came from out of nowhere and stood in front of him, Xiao Xiao and Zhen Wen.  

"Senior can I ask you something." She seems nervous but she boldly asked Zi Xuan this question.

"Sure"

"I've seen you with senior Yu Hao a lot so I was wondering if you guys are close." She asked shyly.

"We're close enough. What can I do for you?"   

"Do you know if senior Yu Hao is dating someone? I mean of course he is right because he is so strong and good looking.   I see him walking around the school a lot carrying his volleyball and he is so handsome and rugged looking. After last week's game when he got the winning point and we win I thought he was cool before but he became even cooler."   She finished all of that in one fast rant.

He remember his chest started tightening as the girl went on and on about all things Yu Hao and how wonderful he is. By the end it became harder to breath.    

The sitution was awkward so Zhen Wen asked the girl. "Junior shouldn't you be telling all of this to Yu Hao and not us. We are a little bit busy and don't have a lot of time."

She shook her head.  "No. I can't tell him.  He is so awesome. I can't talk to him directly. I can't even look him in the face.  One time he bummed into me in the hall knocking all of my books over and he gentlemanly picked them up and handed them back to me.  Saying sorry and giving me that wonderful smile of his. I almost die. No this way is better. If you can give him these cookies I made and this card I will be forever in your debt. Oh there he is now.  Thank you seniors." She pushed the offending objects into Zi Xuan hands and ran off.

"Hey Zhen Wen and Xiao Xiao."  Waving to them as he got closer.    He moved next to Zi Xuan until they were standing side by side. Looking at him with adoring eyes and a big smile and whispered, "Hi my favorite turtle. Are those for me? " looking down at the objects in Zi Xuan hand.

"Yes they are yours." Shoving them into his boyfriend's hands he folded his arms over his chest and turned his back on him.

"Did I miss something?" Yu Hao clearly confused and not reading the atmosphere at all.

Xiao Xiao angled her finger and motioned for him to come closer.  Then she bopped him on the head with her pom pom pen. "Idiot. Those gifts are from a girl that just confessed her feeling for you. She asked if Zi Xuan could pass them along to you and let you know how she feels."

He went to the nearest trash can and dumped the contents inside. Brushing his hands off, "See done easy fix.  It wasn't a big deal. Girl are always confessing to me it's not like I care."

He walked over to Zi Xuan  grasped his arms and whispered in his ear. "Falling in love with you is like being caught in a tornado. It is exhilarating and slightly dizzy. Why would i go back to the borrowing medune love of anyone else."

Yu Hao words give Zi Xuan a warm fuzzy feeling inside. He turned around with a smile and it was forgotten.

*******************

He can understand Yu Hao jealousy a little better after that experience.

As he thought about Yu Hao, Zi Xuan was subconsciously playing with the turtle toy that Yu Hao gave him when they first met.  Grasping the turtle firmly in his hand he made a decision. Handing his clipboard over to Xiao Xiao and walking to Cheng En saying, "cover for me."

"what the heck.  cover what?" Cheng En didn't know what was going on. Zi Xuan didn't answer he left the gym.

"Wow. He really loves him a lot." Zhen Wen said suddenly beside Cheng En

"Love who. What?"

"Manager Zi Xuan just left at the beginning of a match to find his boyfriend. Mr. Always does the right thing was just spontaneously breaking the rules. I guess i misjudged him."

Looking at the door Zi Xuan just went out of Cheng En smiled. Calling the team together he prepared them for the game.

Xi Xuan had one thing on his mind. He had to find Yu Hao.    Mad at himself for realize a little late that Yu Hao had probably been jealous of Zi Feng and Yu Hao couldn't do anything about it because of the stupid argument they got into were Zi Xuan threaten to dump him. Of course he was just saying that he would never dump him because he was angry.

Zi Xuan had no real destination for finding Yu Hao he was just going to hit every place he knew or could think that he went. Glancing out a hall window he saw a familiar figure under a near by tree. Jack pot.

Yu Hao embarrassedly was sitting on a beach outside the school.  All his talk about going home and he only made it outside. He glanced at his watch. Well the game has already started now for 15 minutes. Should he go back and check to see how they are doing.

The more he sat there and debted the more he became furious with his self.   He was a moron. Instead of fighting for his man and his sport. He ran away from and handed them to the new guy on a silver platter.

He should have let Du Zi Feng know who's man he was touching.  Instead he spent less and less time with Zi Xuan when Du Zi Feng was around.  He sure the guy never even considered him as a love rival to begin with.

Was the love he professed to have for Zi Xuan only worth that?      At the first sign of adversity he ran like a coward.

With the man he choose to love did he think he wasn't going to have many more adversity than just this. He covered his face with his hands and closed his eyes. Calling himself every bad name in his vocabulary.  

He sense another person sitting on the bench next to him. He didn't glance up knowing that anyone of any important to him would be at the game at this time.  He felt a can on his arm. Opening his eyes. The person sitting next to him offering him a drink was Zi Xuan. Yu Hao became transfixed by him.



It was like he was seeing him for the first time after a long absent.   God Yu Hao missed him. How did he think he could've given him up without a fight?  Just looking at him right now made him happy.   Just one smile from him can dissolved any lingering anger or frustration Yu Hao felt. He felt calm for the first time in weeks. Wow this man's power was strong.

No one said a word.  They just sat there staring into each others eyes.

Yu Hao was the first to break the spell.  "Zi Xuan aren't you missing the game."

Yu Hao finally became curious about Zi Xuan reason for being there.

Zi Xuan didn't answer and just sat in silent. Now Yu Hao began to get nervous. Shouldn't he be getting a lecture right now from the manager of the team for not showing up at the game.

"Is your leg bothering you? Is that why you left the game? Do  you need me to massage it?" Yu Hao asked .

More silent. This must be bad. Either he is sick or he is so mad at him he can't get a word out.

"Are you sick? Is it a fever, a headache, a stomach ache?  Did you eat one of your sister's lunches again? I told not to eat those without my permission."

No response.

"Look i know I'm suppose to be at the game right now but i didn't feel well today and needed a break. I'm not ducking out on my responsibility and I am taking this serious."

Zi Xuan hugged him close, surrounding him with a warm that covered him in a nice sense of security that melted his insides. "I'm sorry" Zi Xuan whispered in his ear.

Oh no Yu Hao thought. Here it comes. He came here to break up with him. Yu Hao put his arms on Zi Xuan chest and pushed himself away from Zi Xuan.

"i know what your going to say Zi Xuan and before you say it…" Yu Hao began hesitantly.

Zi Xuan interrupted by pulling him back ,both arms tightening around him as he buried his face in Yu Hao neck and said,  "Im sorry. That i didn't make time for you since Zi Feng arrive. I'm sorry that the last official conversation we had was a fight and it wasn't resolved.   I'm sorry i put myself in a situation that made you uncomfortable."

Yu Hao pushed himself out of his arms again after hearing all that. He was shocked. One that it wasn't a break up and two If anyone should be apologizing it should be him.

He took a deep breath and let it out slowly in an attempt to calm himself down  "Zi Xuan no I'm the immature boyfriend that obviously don't give you what you need. After I saw you and Zi Feng kiss i had to reevaluate myself"

Zi Xuan interrupted. "He didn't kiss me."

"You don't have to lie.  I saw it." Yu Hao whispered

"You saw him try to kiss me.  I punch him in the face and knocked him over the bench and told him I was happy with my boyfriend. If you would have stayed or storm in like you always do you would have seen that."

An enormous weight was lifted off Yu Hao chest. The flush of warmth that went through his body from those words. "Are you sure you two didn't kiss?" still afraid to wish for miracles.

"Are you doubting me right now." Zi Xuan stood up a frown maring his face.  He was expecting a kiss or a hug from his boyfriend and was a little disappointed this was the reaction he was getting.

Yu Hao cautiously stood up too, "I'm not doubting per say. I'm  just trying to make sure. Are you positive no lip touching was involved."

"Positive no lip touching was involved. Trust your boyfriend Idiot. Before you don't have one anymore.  As if I would let another person touch me. I'm crazy in love with you."

Yu Hao stilled, "Did you just say you love me?"

"Your doubting me when I say this too. Unbelievable." Fed up Zi Xuan started to briskerly walk away from him.

Yu Hao quickly caught up to him pressing his body against his back, holding Zi Xuan still with an arm around his waist. Resting his head on Zi Xuan back.  "I'm sorry ok. It's just you never said it before. I thought in your world there is Volleyball number one, your sister two, school three, your family four, Cheng En and the team at the end."

Zi Xuan tried to turn around but Yu Hao grip was strong. "You didn't mention yourself in that list."

"I didn't think I was on it."

"I left a volleyball game without a second thought to search for my wayward boyfriend who doesn't believe he is on the list of things I love."

"Ok your right you action speak volume.  That wasn't like you."

"Damn right it isn't like me. Because on my list you're number 1-5. That's how much I love you. Everyone else is after you.



Yu Hao started smiling detangled himself from Zi Xuan waist and wrapped his arm around Zi Xuan neck instead. Better access to rain down hundreds of kisses onto Zi Xuan face.

Yu Hao playfulness brought and answering smile to Zi Xuan face.

"You didn't realize that I love you."Zi Xuan was astonished that a Yu Hao never considered that.

"I guess I did from the little things you did but sometimes I needed to hear the words. Hell don't I say it to you every day do you get tired of hearing me say it and want me to stop."

"You had better not stop saying I love you. Why would I be with you if I didn't love you?"

"You never said it before and Wen even said you only went out with me because I was your first confession."

Zi Xuan turned around and faced him , poking Yu Hao in the chest. "First off stop taking relationship advice from Zhen Wen he is not the brightest crayon in the box.  He followed you around for years as a minion i rest my case and Second. You weren't my first confession. Don't flatter yourself. I just didn't want to accept the other person that's all and Third just because I don't say it as much as you doesn't mean I feel it any less. Some of us aren't as bold as others. "

"Can you say it again."

Yu Hao took his mouth in a kiss that somehow managed to be tender and possessive at the same time.

"No" Zi Xuan began blushing

"Come on. If you are a man you should just be direct about it."

"The hell with it.  I'm not saying it again." Zi Xuan removed Yu Hao arm from around him and began walking.

"Fine you don't have to say it. I will tell you how I feel.     I love you. I don't see anyone else in my eyes but you. There is only you for me Zi Xuan."

Yu Hao grabbed Zi Xuan arm and secured a bracelet around his left wrist.   Zi Xuan lifted up his arm to display a silver chain link bracelet laying loose on his arm. . "What is this?" He asked curiously.

Before answering Yu Hao took Zi Xuan mouth in another searing kiss .

"That sir is the matching bracelet to this." Lifting up his own arm and showed off the bracelet.

"I brought us couple bracelets. I needed to mark you as mine so no one else will sniff around you again. If you look at the back it's engraved with my name on your bracelet and your name on my bracelet. Property of Zi Xuan that's me. Yours is Property of Yu Hao. "

"I know I mess up by staying quiet instead of talking to you.  Hell I messed up because I didn't beat the crapped out of him like my fist wanted to.  But I promise that from this day forward I will protect what's mine. You can't get rid of me that easily." Yu Hao pointed to Zi Xuan heart. "This spot is already reserved for me forever."

This is why Zi Xuan loves him. With just a few words Yu Hao makes him feel loved and cherished.

"Just please tell me you love me once in a while.   Your I love you, keeps me energized and gives me fuel. If you don't say it I will get to tired and can't play volleyball.  We will lose every game if you don't tell me I love you at least once every three months."

Zi Xuan grabbed Yu Hao collar "Idiot. If you even think about intentionally losing a game. I will make it that you don't walk for a week." Releasing him he walked back into the school.

"Fine once every five months and that's my final offer."

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Author Note: i know this chapter was long. It kind of got away from me.  I hope you enjoy it anyway.