Chapter 41 - 41 - Separation

The remaining days of their vacation were the happiest days of Fang's life, he thought. He couldn't stop smiling and the softness in his purple eyes when he looked at Ren made everyone around them see pink hearts and bubbles floating everywhere.

And so, when it was time for time for them to return to Cosmopolis, Fang was shocked to learn that Ren and Pax were not going back with them. Ren had some meetings to attend in Ray Country, and then he would be flying to Star Continent for further business negotiations.

Ren rubbed Fang's head to comfort him. "You won't have any time to miss me," he told the younger man. "You're going to be in intensive training with Wolf, remember?"

Fang looked away. "I... I'll always miss you," he murmured.

Ren sighed. "My dearest Fang, you were really looking forward to this training, right?"

Fang nodded guiltily. After all, Ren had planned for a much longer vacation for them...but Fang had been in a hurry to train and get stronger and made him reschedule everything and cut short their time.

"Were you also planning to take me to Star Continent with you if I hadn't asked to shorten our vacation...?" Fang asked quietly.

Ren nodded. "That was the initial plan...but I think it's better this way. Instead of getting bored while I'm in meetings, it's more beneficial for you to concentrate on your training with Wolf." He leaned in and kissed Fang's brow. "I'll be back before school starts, so keep the last day free, all right?"

"I'm sorry," Fang cried softly. "I messed up our time together."

Ren sighed again and hugged his boyfriend. "Of course you didn't," he said firmly. "I knew you'd worry unnecessarily like this, so we didn't tell you about it in advance."

"But..." Fang began.

Ren held up a hand to stalk him. "Your training is as important as my work," he said, his voice leaving no place for arguments. "I know you want to get stronger, and I, too, want you to be stronger - especially since it's something you really enjoy and you're extremely talented. Besides, I want you to try everything that you enjoy before picking your career. I don't want you to be stuck doing something you don't enjoy."

"But I don't dislike your work at Sirocco at all!" Fang protested.

Ren chuckled and rubbed his head. "One thing at a time, my little darling. Let's finish your combat training with Wolf first. For your next school holidays, if you like, you can try an internship at Sirocco."

Fang brightened immediately. "Really? You'll let me?"

"If you want to, then naturally," Ren replied. "Haven't you figured out by now that I'd give you everything you want that's in my power to give?"

Fang blushed.

"Besides, aren't you one of the major shareholders of Sirocco now?" Ren reminded him. "You don't need my permission to come to Sirocco or look into its affairs."

Fang nodded. "I'll still miss you...can we at least text or speak on the phone everyday?"

"Of course," Ren said easily. "But you're not to stay up at all hours to speak to me. I'll ask Pax get a copy of your schedule from Wolf and I'll call you at a suitable time everyday. You will eat and sleep on time, got it, young man?"

Fang sighed and nodded.

"Be good," Ren told him. "I'll bring you something nice from Star Continent."

"I just want you," Fang muttered gloomily.

Ren laughed. "You already have me for life."

Fang flushed again.

And thus, the two of them went their separate ways.

Fang worked hard under Wolf's guidance and stuck to his schedule. He was tired beyond belief by the end of each day...but that didn't stop him from missing Ren with a fierce ache that originated in his heart. Ren called everyday, but somehow, Fang felt that it wasn't enough. He wondered if he was the only one who was affected by their separation so much...as if a chunk of his heart and soul had been cut off and sent away, as if he was incomplete. The ferocity of his feelings terrified Fang and he threw himself into his training desperately, trying to clear his emotions and venting his frustration. Nothing worked, though. Time seemed to crawl slowly like a snail, unlike the time they spent together in Ray Country, where it flew with the speed of light!

His training, though, was extremely successful. Wolf walked around like a proud father and showed off his combat skills to the rest of his gang, and increased the levels almost everyday. Fang didn't let him down.

Ren, on the other hand, was really busy with his work - there were many issues to sort out which needed his personal attention, and new collaboration proposals which needed by him to bring out the best of his negotiation skills. He missed Fang, too, and wondered if it was only him that was behaving like a lovesick puppy. It was rather embarrassing, he thought, but then he'd look forward to his next call with Fang and be happy again. Pax got daily updates on Fang's training with Wolf, and Ren was immensely proud to see his good seedling sprout into a magnificent tree that rose above all others. It made him even more motivated to finish off his work quickly, so that their future plans could be smoother and they could spend more time together. Even Pax had no complaints about his boss and his efficiency these days.

Three days before his scheduled return, Ren found Fang's time a bit strange.

"What happened, Fang? Is everything ok?" he asked, concerned. Wolf hadn't reported any anomalies to Pax yet, so hopefully it wasn't something serious, Ren thought.

Fang hesitated. "Are you... allergic to dogs?" he asked finally.

"No," Ren replied. "Why?"

Fang evaded the question. "Do you...dislike dogs?"

"No," Ren said immediately. "Would you like to keep one? We could visit a shelter and adopt one if you want once I'm back." A pet would also bring a healthy emotional support to Fang's psyche, Ren thought.

Fang was silent for a while. "I....picked up two puppies today," he whispered.