|~×~|•|~×~|

 

I decided along the way to not only treat Yixing to something fulfilling to eat, but something appealing for him to wear. He was skinny, and those work clothes draping off him made him look like a coat rack. We looked about the clothing store, mainly just me picking off clothing for him and pressing it against him to see if it would fit him. Most of it didn't. To be honest, I felt like an Appa finding clothes for his naive son. While I was looking, he was just following shyly behind me, in a lost kind of manner. Every so often he'd push back the clothes, while blankly staring at them, and even smiling at a shirt he'd like.

 

I had wondered when the last time he'd been in a clothing store....obviously long enough to forget there's clothes to wear other than joint restaurants work clothes. It wasn't long till I found something simple which was a simple white shirt- in which we had to purchase from the girls rack. He was that small. Along with that I bought him a pair of dark jeans, and a black newsboy hat he seemed really fond of. He then took his newly bought clothing, handed me Bao, and with a quick change, came out with a bright smile. I couldn't help but smile back.

 

"Do I look better?" He chuckled out while turning to enjoy his new presentable appearance in the mirror. He mildly flaunted, which made me laugh a bit. At my laughter he turned to me with an embarrassed, yet smiley, face.

 

"Sorry," I said a least bit apologetic. He still smiled.

 

"I was being silly, its okay" he said before turning back to the mirror. He adjusted his hat, and again flaunted. But as he checked the various slim angles of his body,he grimaced and frowned. He crossed his arms while grabbing on to his shoulders, shying away from seeing how thin he was. I guess he hadn't seen a mirror in a while too; his face was clearly pained to see his self. The clothing fit snugly, -not to tight, not to loose- but it still hadn't his protruding collarbones, and boney arms.

 

Eventually He laxed his shoulders and turned to me with a curious look, but a slight smile was on his face. He dropped his eyes to my arms and following his gaze, I had forgotten that I was holding his precious Bao. I handed him Bao, in which he took happily. He adjusted him to where Bao's paws were resting over his crossed arms, and held him closely with a loving smile.

 

The way he treasured Bao was very amusing to me, as if he were his child. To me, I would never cease to understand the chemistry stuffed animals had on the young minded.

 

 

"Um..." he started softly, and sounding as if he was trying to remember something.

 

 

"Yi Fan." 

 

Smile. Damn that undying smile.

 

"Yi fan...thank you so much for your kindness," he started sweetly. I just nod, hearing his thanking for the umpteenth time.

 

"You’re welcome, Yixing. Now," i started while turning on my heel. "I don't know about you, but I'm hungry. So let’s eat~" I tried to sound cherry, but my face probably reflected otherwise. Yixing didn't care, he still kept his naturally bright smile with a twinkle shining in his eyes. Food must have sounded so promising to him.

 

"But...Yi Fan..." he started softly. He sounded like he wanted something. I knew tones like that far too well.

 

"Yes?"

 

He looked down and shifted about shyly. Yep. He wanted something. He started to cover his thin frame again before looking up at me.

 

"Oh....never mind. Let's just eat.." he said. I shrugged.

 

 

"Okay then, come on" I motioned him to follow me out the store with a forced smile and close behind he came and followed me outside. The sky was still relatively dark, while the air was thick and muggy. A slight chill was in the air as well, but it wasn't something to complain over. I felt Yixing brush against my arm, as he stood fairly close to me. I looked down at him ,surprised at the shock in his touch. He was shivering a bit, and tried to play off not wanting to stand close by stepping a bit away from me. I chuckled a bit inside while shaking my head.

 

"Here," I offered while stripping from my jacket. He looked up at me, with a lost look, while I placed my oversized jacket over his shoulders. A smile immediately appeared and I cursed myself for catching its gaze.

 

A part of me felt that his smile would be the death of me. However I did not want to take that route with him. I burned that bridge a long time ago, I can't go back.

 

"Thanks," through his smile.

 

I nod. "Let’s eat,"

 

|~×~|•|~×~|

 

I chose a local all you can eat restaurant, knowing Yixing would most likely have a big appetite. His eyes sparkled, as we walked in, from being hit with the sweet aroma filling the restaurant. I, on the other hand, had to battle wrinkling my nose at the horrid smell. It was as if all the combined odors from fried foods mixed with boiled foods, and baked foods, all decided to party in one place. I cringed. The smell didn't seem to bother house of fatties, that were just eating away like no tomorrow. I cringed yet again, this time feeling a bit of acid easing up my throat. Pushing it back down with a dissatisfied groan, I started having second thoughts of eating here....till they assured our waiter would come soon. Yixing bowed and thanked them like the proper, good natured young boy he was. Meanwhile I, tried to deal with this unsettling smell.

 

I think I may have a complaining problem. But then again, I'm not used to eating out. I had always cooked for myself; or if I was too lazy heated up a quick and easy microwave dinner. With that though it mind, I had the urge to treat Yixing to my own cooking. However, I'll let him eat up other people’s food before he gets to mine.

 

Our waiter appeared and he seemed nice while he greeted us and showed the way to our table. We were set in a nicer, more laxed setting with well freshened air. I took a whiff of air, feeling my appetite coming back, while motioning Yixing to sit. I sat across from him, and our Waiter began reciting his usual play to customers. I had tuned him out till I heard him promise to refill our drinks when they were low. He must have wanted a nice tip. I'll keep that in mind. Yixing was paying the least bit of attention as well, as his eyes constantly scanned the long table of food. The waiter, Wu Xin, had finally finished talking, probably awkward with our lost of focus.Both Yixing and I thanked him before resuming our attention to the long table of food.

 

"Um, Yi Fan..?" I heard Yixing say.  I looked at him to see he was already looking at me.

 

 

"Yes?"

 

 

 

 

"Could....you come up there with me?" He asked in a completely different tone. "I might need help carrying plates," he joked. He smiled big as a chuckle naturally came out. How cute he was….

 

"Sure,"

 

Yixing smiled while placing Bao inside his shirt. His horn and face was slightly sticking out, just enough to breath, y'know if he was alive. The waiter, Wu Xin returned with our drinks while we both got up from our seats. After thanking him, we walked over to the food stands. There was a little bit of everything you'd find in China, and Yixing looked to be curious on where to start. A bright smile rested on his face as he held a plate to his chest and hungrily eyeing the various foods. He pointed to one pot of soup, and looked at me as if saying "should i get that?"

 

I looked over to see. "Seems good to me,"

 

With an eye smile, he helped himself to the soup and proceeded down the line. He got a bit of everything, even grabbing enough to feed me. Thinking it was enough, we walked back to our table with food enough to put all these fatties to shame. We got settled, and just as I was about to dig into my food, Yixing stopped me with a soft touch of his hand.

 

Again that shock came.

 

"Prayer first," he said softly.

 

I pressed my lips together. Prayer? What is Prayer?

 

I nodded and we both bowed our heads. Yixing began speaking, saying a whole bunch of thank you's and grateful for's, and praises.

 

"Amen?"

 

"Amen,"

 

With that Yixing placed Bao to his side, and immediately took no time in start eating away at his food. I started to eat, but I couldn't stray my eyes from eating machine he'd just- in an instant turned into.

 

I couldn't depict whether I was utterly shocked...

 

 

Or utterly pitied by him ravenously nibbling the food, like a mad mouse. I watched him, dumfound, while he continued to shower down the food. I wondered if he even chewed his food, because just as he was finishing one plate no second was wasted to start chomping at the next one. With the various of soups he had, he gulped those down like nothing.

 

It was really saddening to know he had been deprived of food for so long. The thought of someone as sweet, and stupidly happy, as he, to die by starvation made me appreciate the bit of heart I had.  He was still young. Still happy. Still so full of light. Still so full of life to die in the vain of starvation. So I was glad to be able to spot him the way I had.

 

 

If I hadn't....who knows where he would have been. Probably dead somewhere with a smile on his face.

 

However the way the aura around him, he seemed to have no regards of death. As if he wasn't afraid if he died. Because he still smiled. And he still showed no resent for his situation.

 

On an emotional level, he was clearly stronger than I was, and will ever be. I guess given his upbringing, he had to build up his strong emotions.

 

I wondered what tragedy caused him to be out on the streets....

 

I made a mental note to ask later...

 

He kept eating for a while, never ceasing to notice my observing. Every so often he’d look up just to take a large drink from his Green Tea.(in which he would finish in two gulps. He probably had went through four cups) and at that, I could tell our Wu Xin was growing annoyed with my constant calling him to refill Yixing’s drink. Each time I shouted, he cringed and on the sly rolled his eyes. Was I wrong to call? He had promised.Better watch what you say to customers, Waiter, or else you get stuck with bottom less pits like Yixing. When he came over for the umpteenth time, I gave him a fake smile, slightly amused by his annoyance.

 

“Green Tea please,” I told him while handing him the cup. He shot me a look that was more readable than a book.

 

 

Do I look stupid to you? I’ve been to this table far too much to not know what you fucking want.

 

 

Of course he hadn’t said it, but behind that forced smile he sure had it running through his mind.

 

 

“With Pleasure,” He gritted and somewhat stormed away.  I returned my gaze back to Yixing, who had finished over half the plates we had come to the table with. And he was showing no signs in stopping either. He reached to grab his drink, but paused when he was met by nothing. He looked up at me, slightly puzzled.

 

“Waiter has it,”

 

And whattaya know? Our precious Wu Xin had come in time and placed Yixing’s drink next to him. Again he forced that smile, in which Yixing returned to him a natural smile and a thank you. He slightly bowed and was about to walk away till I reached behind him to stop him.

 

 

 

“I know this is probably bothersome you, so I’ll make sure to make your tip doubled,” I assured.  I heard a clank of silverware dropping and when I looked over...Yixing was looking up at Wu Xin and I with the most pained and apologetic eyes. A part of me started to hurt seeing the light in his eyes dull out as he dropped his gaze and folded his napkin. Wu Xin assured everything was fine in the most acted sincerity, but it wasn't enough to bring back the light. Yixing just distracted himself with Bao, and eventually Wu Xin went to wait another table.

 

I would be lying if I said Guilt wasn't itching away at me. It was, and seeing Yixing Bao did nothing to kill my guilt. Believe me, I wanted to say something -possibly apologize- but every time I opened my mouth, nothing came out. Swallowing air, i built up the two simple words, and opened my mouth to speak. Till Yixing looked up, and peered at me.

 

"I must look really pathetic right now..." he said gently while pushing the plates away from him.

 

"Pfft, its a buffet, you don't look any more pathetic than half the fatties here."  I claimed casually. I don't know.if it was particularly nice to say but, he got a laugh out of it. Seeing it, le wild smile appeared and attacked my face.

 

"I guess that makes everything much lighter,"

 

"I would hope so. I mean he did say he promised to refill our drinks," I started, "and their motto did say 'Food is essential to life, eat as much as you like', So as far as I'm concerned...there's not a thing to be embarrassed about."

 

Yixing smiled even more and leaned back in his chair, rubbing the plump circle on his tummy.

 

"Eh~ I was getting full anyhow. Look at my belly! " he said while poking it. "It looks like a preggo baby bump,"

 

I chuckled with him soon joining me. How cute he was. "You're silly."

 

"And you're very generous," he said smiling to me. His dimple drilled a hole in my feels. I shrugged.

 

"Just doing what's right," I tell him and he nodded. There was a lot I wanted to ask, but it would be breaking the stranger, stranger boundaries. So with knowing there was nothing to talk on, i ask.

 

 

"Are you done eating?"

 

He scanned the plates, debating then back at me. "Yeah, I don't think I can eat any more"

 

With that, I took out some money, tossed it on the table while Yixing stood and stretched, and rose from my seat. He started buttoning my jacket that I forgot I had given him, to hide his pregnant belly. I couldn't help but chuckle at him while he patted his belly with a giggle.

 

"I ate really good," he giggled while adjusting Bao in his arms.

 

"I don't good is enough to describe how you ate," i teased while patting his back twice, motioning him to start walking, in which he had. We bowed and thanked the manager, before leaving out the restaurant. It took awhile to find my car. I honestly had no idea where it could have been, but Yixing had the strongest idea of where. So without a doubt I followed him, only for him to start awkwardly scratching his head after we walked for a good ten minutes. I had immediately stopped, refusing to go any further. I mean would you? We were in a totally different parking lot, for Geezus sake!

 

"Yixing, do you know where you're going?" I asked him when he finally stopped and looked around. Slowly he turned, still awkwardly scratching his head.

 

 

"....i have no idea," he uncomfortably giggled out. I cocked an eyebrow, utterly speechless. Without saying a thing, I shook my head and turned back the way we came. Yixing was shouting "sorry's" while he ran to catch up to my side. I told him it was okay, and as he entered the parking lot we split and started looking up and down rows.

 

After what seemed like ever trying to find that cursed car, something stepped into my mind. At it, I abruptly stopped and mentally banged my head on a desk.

 

How could I be so stupid?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Taking the keys from my pocket, I sounded the alarm button and immediately after a obnoxious car alarm erupted the way Yixing had walked. Laughing to my self, I walked over to the sound soon seeing Yixing standing next to it with his hand over his heart. He looked scared senseless.

 

"You okay?" I asked still chuckling at my stupidity.

 

"Did you do that?!" He asked pointing to my car.

 

 

Haha, I scared him. Whoopsie!

 

"Sorry?" I say. He raised his eyebrows before breaking into laughter.

 

"You had the keys the whole time!?"

 

I nodded, again laughing.

 

"And you scold me for leading us the wrong way." He teased.

 

"Hey, it took you ten minutes plus the wrong parking lot to realize that so don't even go there." I chuckled out while walking to the other side. Yixing just brought the sleeve of my jacket to his eyes to wipe the tears from his laughing.

 

After unlocking the doors, we both slid in, closing our doors after another. Yixing made his self comfortable while I started the ignition and backed out the parking lot.

 

"Yifan?" Yixing called while resting his head on the window and shutting his eyes.

 

"Yes?"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Thank you,"

|~×~|•|~×~|

Sorry this is so late~

So i decided to make it longer ^^

Will update when I can.