25 - He won't mind.

Wade found Fang in school the next day. Perhaps sensing a drama, a lot of students gathered around.

Fang and Wade greeted each other politely and then, to everyone's surprise, Wade bowed and apologised properly.

Fang was quite gracious. In his heart, despite being reassured several times by Ren, he believed that it wasn't a good thing to tear the brothers apart, and he didn't want to be the cause of their falling out.

Wade asked shyly, "Can I join you for lunch?"

"Sure," Fang said.

Over lunch, the two of them found a nice corner table where they could speak quietly without being overheard.

Wade may have been spoilt, but he wasn't stupid. He had pretty much guessed the truth from Fang's reaction last evening.

"I'm also sorry about yesterday," he said quietly. "And I want to thank you for saving me, even though this thanks has been long overdue."

Fang stiffened, but then calmed down and smiled a little. "You don't really have to thank me. To be honest, I didn't even remember that it was you."

Wade shook his head. "You must be a really good person that goes around saving people without even remembering who you saved!" His brown eyes shone with admiration. "You're a real hero!"

"Not at all!" Fang denied.

"No, you must be," Wade insisted. "At least, for me, you definitely are. You saved me and you saved my Big Brother! No wonder Big Brother scolded me...Fang, I'm really sorry. I've been very stupid and I've wronged you and Big Brother. But I'll try to be a better person now...if you'd be able to forgive me...could we...could we be friends?"

Wade really did look like an angel when he wasn't being obnoxious, Fang thought to himself. His boyish charm was completely different from the magnetic attraction of Ren, but the two brothers really were something else.

"Sure," Fang replied. "I'd like that."

Wade froze for a moment. "Really? Just like that? Even after I caused you so much trouble and treated you so badly earlier...?"

Fang shrugged carelessly. "Well...you apologised for it, didn't you? There is no need to hold a grudge against someone who has realised his mistake and made amends."

"Wow," Wade muttered. He eyed Fang reverently. They were the same age...and yet, how could Fang be so cool? Why had he been so blind before and not seen how awesome Fang was...?

Fang, on the other hand, was wondering what was wrong with Wade. Could it be that a scolding from Ren had unsettled him so much that he'd been knocked strange in the head...? Fang felt a pang of sympathy and thought he should treat his boyfriend's little brother a bit better and put in a good word for him to Ren. He could afford to be generous.

And so it happened that when Ren came to pick up Fang after school, he found Fang and Wade chatting and laughing together like a house on fire. Wade's cheeks were rosy and his chocolate eyes glowed happily, while Fang seemed to be smiling indulgently. Fang, who didn't like being touched by people in general, didn't even flinch when Wade grabbed his arm and leaned in to whisper in his ear rather intimately. The two of them didn't even notice Ren until they'd reached the gate.

Ren felt rather sour. How on earth did the two of them get so close in the span of less than twenty four hours?! Was this the legendary protagonist's halo? Was it fate that brought the two main characters together? What should Ren do if Fang's affection shifted to Wade...?

Just then, Fang spotted Ren and his eyes lit up in joy. Wade saw his Big Brother and grinned happily as well. The two teenagers rushed over immediately.

"Ren! How are you feeling now? Is it ok for you to be here? Shouldn't you rest a bit more?" Fang fussed.

Ren felt a little better at his obvious concern. "I wanted to see you sooner," he said softly.

Affection pooled in Fang's purple eyes.

"Big Brother! I apologised properly to Fang and he forgave me and we're friends now! And he was the one who saved me back then!" Wade said excitedly. "Isn't he awesome?"

Ren smiled fondly. "Indeed," he said, looking at Fang.

Fang blushed shyly.

Ren heaved a sigh of relief. It looked like last evening's breakdown hadn't incapacitated Fang. He narrowed his eyes at the protagonist little brother...or, perhaps, it was Wade's cheerful presence that made him feel better?

"Can I join you for dinner?" Wade asked Ren. "Mom and Dad won't be back until late."

Ren glanced at Fang, who nodded slightly.

"All right," Ren said.

Wade beamed at him.

They got into the car and drove home.

Steward Paul was rather surprised to see Wade, but didn't comment.

Ren went off to his study to finish some pending work. Since Pax was out with Wolf today to look into the Eagle Hunter gang - those were the people with the eagle and snake tattoos Fang had mentioned last evening - Ren had to wrap up quite a few things himself. Also, some paperwork for his medical school had gotten stuck; he needed to wrangle with a few bureaucrats to sort out the mess.

Fang and Wade were left to their own devices. The two boys washed up, ate some snacks, played some games and did their homework. They were chatting away like old friends and Wade was even polite to the staff.

"Do you have someone you like, Fang?" Wade asked suddenly.

Fang froze for a moment, then nodded shyly.

"Are you dating them?" Wade continued.

Fang nodded again.

"Oh," Wade said, disappointed. Looked like he had no chance for now. "Is it a girl from school?" he asked curiously.

Fang shook his head. "It's a man."

Wade brightened. Perhaps there was some hope for him after all. Then something struck him. "Is it ok for you to stay with my brother like this? Won't your boyfriend mind?" he asked.

Fang smiled slightly. "He won't mind," he said softly.