Chapter Text
Above the ceiling, in an old castle, is a small narrow room. No one ever visited, only some maid that would put dry bread and water in front of the wooden door. They didn’t dare to come in, rumor said incurable disease caught the room’s owner.
The atmosphere inside and outside of the room were different. The room was soundless and dark. The only light came from the crack of the roof. While the sound of the people outside the castle who fight against the enemies couldn’t reach that small hiding room. This made the poor living became the most lonely person.
In the middle of such a lonely world, he had a dream, dream of happiness. It was okay if only one small thing, it would made this ephemeral boy thanked all his life. His condition didn’t let him go outside the room. Every night, he only could sang his heart out. His beautiful but heart wrenching voice always resonated the whole room, but sadly no one heard that.
_____
“I hope, someday, someone would come to me and accompany me all time. No matter what had happened, we always together. I'll wait for that day to come.”
_____
It happened one day. After finished his breakfast, he unconsciously glanced at the big old mirror in the corner. It was a long time he didn’t clean it. As long as he remember, he never touch it since he was hidden in this small room.
His legs already gave up on him, so he could only crawled, dragged his weak body slowly to the mirror. He used his unused cloth to swipe it. When he cleaned the upper half of the mirror, an image of a young boy with black cloak was suddenly reflected.
“Ah! Who are you!”, the boy who had a paralyzed legs said in surprise.
“Eh, isn’t that impolite to ask others name without tell your name first?” the other boy answered with a gremlin smile.
“Really? Then sorry, I’m Xiao Zhan.”
“Other information?”
“Other? Um, a boy?"
“Haha, what other information was that. But, you’re a boy? I think you’re a girl.”
“W-what? How could you. Don’t laugh.”
“Haha… okay okay, I won’t. But look at your long hair, and...beautiful face, don’t blame me if I assumed you a girl before.”
“What? Stop it! Um…then, who is your name?” the said long haired boy asked shyly.
“I’m a wizard. Just call me Handsome wizard..” A smile radiated brightly.
"Excuse me, i know you're handsome, b.."
"Oh! So you agree if I'm handsome?" The said handsome wizard interrupted the other.
"Yeah, eh NO! I didn't! You!"
"Don't worry, I know, how a cute tsundere."
"Tsundere who! I'm not!"
"Okay okay, you're not. But for now just call me wizard, you'll get a bonus if you add hadsome."
"No thanks. Just wizard, I'm more handsome than you so no."
_____
" Ah, his pouting face while angry are really cute. I want to squish them."
“His smile actually beautiful, just like my father. But he was annoying when he teased me.”
_____
Day by day, their fate began to turn. Xiao Zhan’s daily life was changing. Every day, the said wizard would nagging at Xiao Zhan up and told his story. Today he told how every day he was asked to met a lot of new people. The wizard was really happy when he know a lot of people, but whenever he did it, guilty toward someone always came.
“Why do you felt guilty? Isn’t that good to met a lot of people? You’re so lucky, I want to go out from here and socialize with other, but I can’t.”
The wizard smiled weakly as like he fell sympathy for Xiao Zhan. “Why you can’t?”
“Outside, wars are raging, and my leg already gave up on me. So I couldn’t go anywhere.”
“You have me now. I’ll accompany you so you wouldn’t be lonely anymore.”
“Thank You. Um, do you want to know an important information?”
“What is that?”
“Actually…”
“Ah! Actually … you’re falling in love to me?”
“No! What nonsense are you talking about.”
“Ha ha, Sorry, then?”
“Um, actually... I’m really happy to know you. Would it be alright to say that you’re my first friend?”
The boy who reflected on the mirror shocked. First friend? Would that mean this Xiao Zhan boy already isolated in the small room since little? Without any friends? But beside that, why only friend, he want more than friend. He felt like want to run to the nearest corner and crying.
“How long you already trapped there?”
“I don’t remember, since I’m 14 maybe.”
“And now you’re?”
“I’m not counting how many years passed.”
The asking boy looked spacing out. Confusion appeared on his face.
“Hello, are you okay?”
"..."
"Wizard?"
"..."
"Handsome wizard?"
"..."
"Ah, you don’t want to be my first friend."
"What? Eh, ah, sorry. I just spaced out. No, i want to be your first friend, that is okay. If you want me to be your boyfriend too, I'll gladly say yes."
"Huft, thanks God, i thought you hate me. But, aren't you as my first friend and a boy friend are the same? You're a boy so you're a boy friend."
"Ah? Aren't they different?"
"No, they are the same."
"Of course no cutie, boyfriend more intimate than friend."
"How could that be, they are on the same strata, friend."
"No cutie."
"I say yes then yes, and I'm not cutie."
"Haah, okay okay, they are the same, both first friend and boyfriend are the same, so starting from now i'm your first friend, or 'boyfriend' on other word." He smirking silently.
"Yes! Finally you accept your defeat. Thanks Handsome wizard for being my friend!"
"Boyfriend."
"Yeah, boy friend." The pure boy never know that his innocence made the other eat some tofu.
_____
"Good morning, my boyfriend."
"It's afternoon dear wizard, not morning. Why you always gave the wrong greeting."
"Ahaha, my bad, maybe because of timezones." He answered carelessly.
"Timezone? What timezone?"
"No, just forget it. How is your day?"
"So bad, why you didn't come yesterday?"
"Sorry, i have something to do. "
"Okay i'll forgive you."
"Thank you Zhan ge."
"Eh? You called me Zhan ge? Why?"
"Ah, I assumed youre older than me, so i decided to call you Zhan ge. May I?"
"Um...okay, so I'll called you didi."
"Yeay, Zhan ge~ zhan ge~ didi ai ni~"
"What! Shut up!"
"Haha, you're blushing. Zhan ge~ didi ai ni~."
"No, I'm not. Stop saying that while acting cutely.."
"Zhan ge~."
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" Why my heart thumping really hard? Why I'm really happy when he said that words? What had happened to me?"
_____
Morning already come. The boy still laid on his bed listlessly. Yesterday his beloved friend didn't come again. He felt really lonely, but it doesn't matter to wait longer if that was for him. Lately, he felt something different whenever he was together with the wizard. Everytime the wizard called his name, his heart would flutter. This was uncomfortable but he loved and enjoyed it. When he saw the wizards smile, he felt like spring come inside his room. He could saw butterfly flying arround the wizards reflection. When the wizard teased him, he has an urge to hit him, but at the same time, he want to hug him to hide his embarrassed face. Xiao zhan really enjoyed and loved every moment they go through.
Knock knock knock
He heard a knocking voice. It must be his foods and beverages for today already come. He crawled down from his bed to the wooden door and opened it slowly. As always, silence welcomed him, his maid already gone down. He took the tray and brought it inside, didn't forget to close the door again. He almost climbed his bed again before another knocking voice came accompanied with a spoiled voice.
"Zhan ge~ good evening~"
His face brightened, a beautiful smile appeared automatically.
"Dear wizard, you came today!" He excitedly dragged his body to the mirror.
"Of course, I'll gladly do everyting if that is for you."
"Stop saying nosense. And didi it is morning now."
The wizard frowned. He pointed at the outside of his own window. "But gege, it is already dark here. There, i could see the stars twinkling."
Heard this Xiao Zhan felt really excited. "Stars? You said stars? Stars in the sky? That beautiful things?"
"Yeah, what else. There is moon too, now the moon are still on the crescent phase."
"Really? Aahh, i want to see, i want to see. I can't see them here. The windows were sealed."
"You want to see?"
"Mn. Ah, but how, you're on the other side of this mirror. I think I would never saw them again." Xiao Zhan got a breakdown. His energy suddenly drained from his body.
"Don't worry. I could bring my mirror close to the window, so we could stargazing together."
"Ah! Right! Just drag it now. Just drag it now. I want to see them. Go go go!"
"Okay okay. Wait, I'll do it. Ugh, this mirror really heavy."
Slowly the scene that reflected in the mirror changed. Xiao Zhan could saw a bit of the wizards room from fhe mirror. It was really neat and filled with green themed things. No more than a minute, Xiao Zhan could saw a dark sky. It was sprinkled with a lot of twinkling stars and a beautiful crescent moon. A smile appeared on his face. He deep engulfed on it and didn't realize that the other boy only pay attention on him and enjoyed his expression.
"Beautiful."
"Yeah, they are beautiful."
"Not them, but you."
"Yeah, I'm beautiful." Xiao Zhan carelessly answered before snapped.
"What? I'm not beautiful, I'm handsome. How could you called a boy with that phrase."
"But for me you're the most beautiful one here, more than that stars and moon."
"Are we starting again? You want to rainbow farting again? Haha, okay handsome wizard."
Then, could be heard some laughs and compliments on that room. Happiness spreaded on both of their heart.
_____
" This moment, this time when we stargazing together, I won't forget it. I would engraved it deep on my heart"
_____
"Zhan ge."
"Hm."
"Do you have some dreams or wishes?"
"I have some, why?"
"I’m a magician meant just for you, i could make your dream come true. I think it is time for me to grant all of your wishes."
"You can do it? With some abrakadabra?"
"Haha, i can, but my chant is different, you're the one who should chant it."
"Me?"
"Mn, you. Now, you could tell me your dreams."
"Alright. Hmm… You know, i have this illness. It made my legs paralyzed for a long time. I always dreams that someday it would be cured. And outside of this castle, a long lasting war are raging. I feel sorry for all the soldiers and citizens outside. They had such a hard time to survived on this condition. I really want this war to end."
"That's all?"
"For now, i think that's all."
A complicated expression reflected on the wizards face. He took a deep breath then released it.
"Zhan ge, come closer to the mirror then put your hand here." The wizard commanded while put his left hand on the mirror.
Xiao Zhan come closer and did the same. By touching the reflection of wizards hand, he could felt some warmth that he missed since little. Suddenly tears begin to spill over.
_____
" Is it alright to hold onto you like this, forever? In this lonely world, I was waiting alone, for such a long time. For your gentle warm hands, from the other side of the mirror, i felt like i willing to sacrifice anything."
_____
"I shall grant anything that you wish for, so won’t you chant for me from the other side of this mirror?"
"I will."
"Tonight, everything is the magic of opposites. After all, I’m a magician meant just for you."
Xiao Zhan looked at the wizard in confusion.
"Now, cast the magic, could you call my name?"
"Handsome wizard?"
The wizard giggled.
"No, my name is Wang Yibo. Call me Wang Yibo. Once you cast it, your dream will become true."
Xiao Zhan really happy finally he could know the wizards real name, but at the same time, why his heart said he shouldn't chant his name. Like something bad would come later.
"Xiao Zhan? Zhan ge? Are you okay?"
"..."
"Zhan ge, just cast the magic, call my name." Wang Yibo tried to remind Xiao Zhan.
"... Is that okay for me to chant it?"
"Mn, why not?"
"I just…forget it. Chant it now?"
"Mn, now. Before that, sweep your tears. I can't do it from this side."
Xiao Zhan tried to soothed his heart beat while sweep the tears on his face. Wang yibo patiently watch from other side of the mirror. After some moment, Xiao Zhan decided to did it.
"Wang Yibo."
_____
Wang Yibo a.k.a the magician granted all Xiao Zhan's wishes. His ilness was cured and he was able to walk again. The long-lasting war finally came to an end. The laughter in that quiet room increased. Xiao Zhan danced happily arround the room. He slightly opened the door to heard all the maids and soldiers screamed in happiness. He closed the door and headed to the mirror.
"Wang Yibo! Wang Yibo! I able to walk again! And the war already ended! Thank you Wang Yibo! I'm really happy now. You know, I saw it in a dream, long ago, some childhood memories, where i was the prince in a beautiful castle. I could remember it so vividly, it became almost nostalgic, and now, that become reality. Everything I had wished for in my dreams, was granted by you. Thank you Wang Yibo."
Wang Yibo stared from the other side of the mirror. He looked pale but a slight smile still visible. He glad if his beloved person happy.
"Mn, i see. Congratulations."
"Thank you. Eh? Wang Yibo, are you okay?"
"Mn. Zhan ge, would you come closer to the mirror again?"
Xiao zhan walk closer to the mirror and sat down.
"Put both of your hand on the mirror."
"Uh, okay?"
Xiao Zhan could felt the others warmth again. Even so, it felt like he was missing something.
_____
“ Please, never let go of my hand…”
_____
"Wang Yibo, I wish that I can stay like this forever, with no one else but you. So right now, please won’t you come to meet me? I’m so lonely that I can’t even sleep. Could you gently call my name everyday? Could you wake me up every morning? I love it when i heard your voice. I promise I’ll be waiting for you, always."
"Sorry, for this time i can't."
"W-what do you mean?"
"I can't grant your wish to call your name everyday. I can't grant your wish to wake you up every morning. I'm sorry I can't."
Tears spilled on both of their eyes.
"But, why? Why the magic ran out too soon. Or...you hate me?"
"No, I'm not. I have to leave. I've finished my duty here. All your dream has become reality."
"..."
“I have to leave soon…”
“Please don’t go.”
“The spell will break if I don’t. I have to bid you farewell…”
“Don’t say it. I beg you please don’t go”
“Don’t cry. I'll tell you, on other side of the mirror, was a world were everything is reversed. Opposite destinies that never should have crossed. I’ve just returned whatever you gave me.”
"I didn't gave you anything. You're the one who did it. Wang Yibo, please don't go, don't leave me."
"Xiao Zhan, no, Zhan ge, please listen to me. Thank you for all the happy time we spend together. Thank you for filling my heart and let me know what is love. I want to say, that i'm really happy to become your boyfriend, although our meaning about boyfriend are different, still, i enjoyed it.Please remember that I love you, love as in romantic way. Your smile and your tears, I’ll never forget them. So that’s why I beg you, please don’t forget me."
Suddenly the mirror cracked. Xiao Zhan's heart stopped. He couldn't see the reflection of Wang Yibo again. He lost him. He was left alone. Xiao Zhan crying while calling Wang Yibo's name loudly.
"Wang Yibo! Wang Yibo! Please come back! Don't leave me alone. I want you. I want you. I just realize this feeling. The feeling want to spend all of my time with you. The feeling want to go through the happiness and difficulty together with you. The feeling that i want no one other than you. The feeling that you only meant for me, not others. Wang Yibo, I love you! Didi, gege ai ni!"
_____
"If only you could’ve stayed with me forever
Even if you have no magic, I want to stay by your side
So one more time, let’s meet somewhere
I’ll polish this old mirror and always be waiting
No matter how much time passes, I will always be waiting here, for you."