Chapter 17

Timeline: 17th September 2012

"I simply cannot believe the reason behind why we're here." A certain 18-year-old with slightly curly hair boy said as he stared ahead of him, watching as couples and families walked past them, towards a desired ride in the amusement park. He watched a couple in envy as they shared the same candy floss. When would he be able to do so with his boyfriend-to-be?

Tao eyed his Papa with a huge grin plastered on his face, expressing to Lay that he knew what he was thinking at the moment. The shorter male huffed in fake annoyance and stalked away from the two taller teenage boys.

Kris had missed the message passed between the two. His eyes were drawn to the roller coaster ride above his head and he watched it with awe. He had never been on one before.

Only when his object of desire started walking away from them that he returned to reality. Turning his head towards Tao, he was going to enquire about what happened a minute ago just when Tao seemed to suddenly develop a skill of reading someone else's mind. The youngest of the trio shrugged his shoulders before joining his Papa, striding alongside Lay.

Clucking his tongue, the prince charming who towered over a number of males in the amusement park and attracted a lot of single ladies' attention, followed the pair of father and son to the Ferris Wheel.

The trio queued up and waited patiently for their turn while Tao did most of the talking, chatting about all sorts of rides there were listed in the map the boy produced out of nowhere.

After a few minutes of waiting excruciatingly, a capsule was finally available.

Tao climbed excitedly into the carriage, picking one side of the gondola and purposely sprawled his body over the seat so that his parents would have to share a seat on the other side, opposite to him. He mentally rubbed his hands in glee as an image of both of them touching inevitably due to the small size of the passenger car.

As the Ferris Wheel reached the peak, he had never expected his Papa to have a fear of heights. Papa Lay had clung on to his Daddy's arm, unconsciously or subconsciously? He had no idea. Daddy had then slipped his arm out of Papa's grip and for a moment, he thought his Daddy did not like Papa the same way his Papa like Daddy. The thought of his Papa's love not returned made his heart ache and he dared not imagine how Papa would feel at that instant.

However, Kris had surprised them by drawing soothing circles on Lay's back in hope to calm the other male down. He succeeded as Lay leaned against him, his eyes shut tightly as his head was tucked gently to the crook of Kris' neck. The taller male's other free hand grabbed the younger boy's trembling hands, trying to still the shivering.

Tao smiled blissfully behind his hands, watching them discreetly. His Daddy glanced up at him to gauge his reaction but as Kris looked up, he could only see geniune approval in the youngest boy's eyes.

He was, for once, happy and stopped himself from wondering who was Tao's other parent. He would like to enjoy the moment for now.

As they reached the bottom again, Tao had to remind them that they were there already even though he did so reluctantly. He announced loudly that he was going to leave them if they do not stop embracing.

Lay had quickly extracted himself from the comfortable embrace which Kris' strong arms provided. It gave him a sense of security and he felt well protected. Blushing to the tip of his ears, he climbed out of the gandola and tugged Tao along by his sleeve to move to the next exciting ride.

Cute, Kris' mind had supplied when he noted the pink blush painted on his crush's cheek and ears.. He strode after them, allowing them to choose and argue about going to which ride first. He did not mind whichever ride they would take next so long as Lay was close to him.

Tao had used his puppy look again and won their argument. Lay was too soft because it was in his nature and also, because this was his kid. He would give up the world for his son to see his son happy. Said son had already run to the carousel. Lay thought they were too old for that particular ride but Tao had insisted that he must ride the merry-go-round at least once in his lifetime. Tao had reasoned out that he ought to experience the carousel at least once before he returned to his own timeline. He was afraid that there might not be amusement parks in the future anymore.

The notion of Tao leaving them one day pained Lay tremendously but Tao was firm in his decision. He had to return back to where he belonged. He had to know what happens in the future. And Lay had got to let his baby go. He would only be able to meet his baby in another few years, that is if he and Kris would be together in the future.

The trio rode almost every ride there is in the amusement park except for the roller coaster. Kris was the first one to get into line for that particular ride. Tao looked unsure and hesitated whether to go for it but in the end, after much convincing from the tallest teenager, he was all ready to feel the thrill of the ride. Of course, Lay stood far from the line. He had chosen to watch them instead of joining them. Try as they might but they would never be able to force him to ride such a high and fast ride. No, he would throw up.

So, as the two third of the group went for the ride, the shortest of them could not help but strayed away from the exit of the roller coaster. He looked around the small stalls by the side selling food, gifts or other stuff you would usually find in an amusement park.

Lay sighed. Back to the question. Why were they here again? Oh, right. He overheard the two of them discussing something about getting him to forget a certain incident on that day. Truthfully, he has a bad memory and he always forgets something. The others would constantly remind him to not forget his important belongings. He was grateful to have such caring family members even though they were not related by blood.

The incident was already at the back of his mind as he strode to the stall selling pink and blue candy floss. Hmm... Which colour tastes better?

The lady in charge smiled at him before asking, "Would you like the blue one or the pink one? Personally, I think the pink one would suit you. No offence though."

Lay had smiled back then and purchased two bags of pink fluffy candy floss. He wanted to have three but something must have possessed him because the next thing he remembered, he was already making his way towards the exit of the roller coaster to wait for his companions to arrive with two rather than three bags. Strange.

Tao had all but ran to him, his face brightening up at the food in his hands. He reached his hands out, demanding for a bag just for himself and Lay gave it to him without a second thought. The youngest teen tore the bag open greedily prior to stuffing himself with sweet cotton candy.

When Kris had arrived at the scene, he was staring at an adorable Tao while chuckling to himself. His crush offered him a bag as well but he noticed that if he was to have it then Lay do not have a package of his own. After opening the package given to him, he tore some cotton candy before handing the candy floss back to the shorter male.

Mischievous Tao had something up his sleeve as he opened his mouth wide and pointed a finger to it, silently conveying a message to the other two that he wanted to be fed like a baby. Without any hesitation, Lay did so lovingly, smiling with his dimples shown clearly to the world. Tao gobbled up the cotton candy offered to him, savouring the sweet taste and the feeling of something dissolving so quickly.

Lay fed him a few times while Kris watched, a beast called jealousy trying to claw its way out. Nonetheless, he stomped it down. The beast threatened to be released but was immediately sated once Lay, too engrossed with feeding someone with cotton candy, offered some to Kris as well, bringing a small piece of candy floss to those y lips the younger male wished to kiss.

The eldest of the group took up Lay's offer, the remnants on the shorter boy's fingers, his tongue sliding over warm skin, sending a shudder down Lay's spine.

Tao was delighted at the public display of affection. The rest of the world around the to-be-couple was forgotten momentarily. Both of his parents were immersed in their very own world. He slipped his phone out and silently snapped a few precious pictures of them together for safekeeping.

Finally getting enough of it since they were starting to catch attention from onlookers. He spoke out loudly, embarrassing not only the couple involved but also, the spectators. The strangers shuffled away from the scene.

"Seriously, people are watching." Grinning from ear to ear, Tao spotted the evident blushes on his parents' cheeks. He pulled both of them along, to another stall with lots of bears. "I want gifts!" He demanded in a serious tone but it only made the other two elder ones laughed. Pouting, Lay found it cute and pulled out a few dollars to buy his baby a Panda but Kris was quicker. By the time, he had just pulled out his wallet, Kris was already at the counter, using his charisma to bargain with the lady in charge to give two bears at a lower pricing.

He won. The lady was too mesmerised by his handsome features that she so willingly gave him discounts. Kris then handed a lifesize Kungfu Panda to Tao and a Teddy bear with a heart-shaped pillow to Lay. Whether Kris chose that bear for Lay intentionally or not, he had liked to think that it was done so with the intention of wanting to court him.

Just when Lay thought that he had enough of surprises for today, Kris had took his right hand in his bigger ones and turned to his son. Tao, hugging his new toy, looked at his Daddy curiously as to what Daddy was going to do.

"Tao, I know it's selfish for me to do so but I would like to ask for permission to court your Papa. Even if our relationship might not last long but I find myself falling for him more and more." There, he had said it, mustering whatever courage he had, staring intently into his crush's beautiful eyes.

He had expected a straight no from both of them but Tao nodded in consent. He agreed to their relationship and that was the most difficult stage he did not expect to pass but he succeeded in the end. Now was to wait for Lay's answer. He had an intuition that his crush may have a crush on him as he noticed Lay glancing shyly at him a few times, not only today but for years. He was not sure but he could not possibly wait anymore. Time to find out. It was either now or never.

Lay's dazzling smile was like the brightest star in the universe. Call him cheesy or whatever. He was merely stating the truth.

From that day onwards, it was official. They had progressed from friends to boyfriends. Lay blushed as he called Kris his boyfriend in his mind.

For that moment in time, the evil which was the Red Forces was forgotten. Sadly, the Red Forces would never forget about them even for just one second. A group of suspicious tourists lingered close to them with one of them, smirking to his mates. They were waiting to attack.

To be continued...

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After that super long hiatus, people must be angry with me. But I can only offer this chapter as peace offering. XD Anyway, thank you, everyone. Thank you for subscribing and leaving reviews.