"Ouch!"
Lian winced as the sweat on his palms mixed with the bruises on his hands. Ding turned and looked at him with a raised brow. Lian tried to stand but the pressure he put on his right leg made him let out a painful yelp and he fell back down. He rubbed his sore ankle and Ding stood watching him unamused.
"Give me a minute sir," he said noticing Ding's impatient gaze on him.
He carefully stood up but ended up on the ground once he tried to put pressure on his sprained ankle.
"Hmm... maybe it will take more than a minute."
Not wanting to watch his fruitless struggles much longer, Ding picked him up sliding one arm under his knees and the other supporting his back. The sudden act surprised Lian causing him to let out a surprised gasp.
"S, Sir? Wh- what are you doing?" he stuttered before clumsily grabbing onto his neck afraid of falling down.
"What does it look like am doing?" he asked indifferently.
"I, I can walk on my own sir," Lian insisted his ears turning red from embarrassment and Ding tightened his grip on him.
"It seemed to me that you were doing a great job," he remarked sarcastically and began walking down the path.
Figuring that Ding would not listen to him, he decided to take advantage of the kindness he was receiving from the mafia leader. He nestled his head on his chest feeling the toned muscles underneath the fabric of his shirt. The rhythmic beating of Ding's heart against him felt calm and he could feel himself slipping into darkness. Lian stirred in bed the faint shouts he had heard becoming more and more audible.
"... why did you even do that?"
"Was it a wrong move?"
Lian could tell from the arguing voices that it was Ding and Tsun. He strained his ears trying to grasp what they were talking about but suddenly Ding's phone vibrated loudly spoiling his plans.
"You can go pick it up," Tsun said and seconds later, the door softly slammed shut.
Tsun walked towards the bed and sat on the edge. He smiled and poked Lian's cheek. Lian remained still and Tsun let out a sigh.
"I know you are awake," he said and Lian's eyes fluttered open.
"How did you-"
He tried to move but his body ached all over and refused to listen to him. The sudden movement sent a wave of pain up his entire system and he couldn't control the hiss which escaped his lips through clenched teeth.
"Careful now!"
Tsun helped him into a sitting position and handed him some painkillers and water which he took gratefully. He swallowed the pills and shut his eyes as the pills went down his system. He was not one for taking medicines no matter how sick he was.
"What happened?"
"Hmm? Did the pain somehow affect your memory?" he asked and Lian shook his head.
"No, that's not what I meant but how did I get here?"
"Oh."
Tsun took the glass from his hands and placed it on the bedside table.
"Well, Ding carried you here."
"What?"
Lian could not believe what he just heard, Ding carried him? Numerous questions whirled inside his mind and this must have been reflected all over his face because Tsun snapped his fingers in front of his face drawing him from his thoughts.
"Is it so shocking?"
Lian turned to him and vigorously nodded his head in response.
"Haha... you are a funny one."
"Huh?" he asked not understanding anything that was coming from his mouth.
"Why is it shocking to think Ding helped you?"
"Well... he hasn't exactly been nice from the first day I was brought here," he stated blankly and Tsun rubbed his chin in thought," ah! N, No I- mean..."
Tsun lowered his hand and smiled at his nervous stuttering. He rested his head on his palm and watched him as he tried to explain himself.
"... maybe. no.. it's because..."
"You really resemble him," he mumbled and Lian turned to him.
"Did you say something?" he asked and Tsun shook his head.
"You're adorable."
"Aren't you embarrassed saying such things out loud?" Lian asked.
"Oh?"
Before he could speak, the door opened and Ding walked into the room. Tsun stood up and walked towards him.
"Done so soon?"
"It was just a call from the bar, someone has been causing trouble."
Tsun pat his shoulder and turned to leave.
"If you need any help, you know where to find me."
With that, he walked out and closed the door leaving Ding and Lian by themselves.
"Sir..."
Ding held up a hand silencing him before he could speak what was on his mind. He pulled a chair towards the bed and sat beside him. Lian silently watched as he settled himself onto the chair and turn to a book he pulled from his pocket.
"Thank you," he said in a low voice loud enough for Ding to hear.
"Why are you thanking me?" Ding asked his eyes not lifting from the book in his hand.
"Well, for all I know, you could have left me in the forest but you didn't so..."
Lian flinched as Ding snapped the book shut before turning his gaze to him," Listen, I don't know what nonsense is going through your head right now but I didn't help you because I felt bad about how stupid you looked."
The words hit him like a thunderbolt but he refused to let this deter him from his goal.
"Whatever the reason was, I still owe it to you for helping me."
Ding scoffed, crossed his left leg over his right and resumed to his reading. An awkward silence fell upon them and soon, Lian began to doze off. Ding looked up from his book and saw Lian asleep in a sitting position with his head leaning to the side in a seemingly difficult position. He softly closed the book and placed it on the table. Carefully, he helped Lian into a lying position and tucked him in bed. With one last glance in his direction, he headed out of the room and immediately stumbled upon Cole with a tray of food in hand.
"Sorry sir. Are you heading out?"
Brushing him aside, Ding hurried out of the apartment leaving a surprised Cole staring at the door.
"Was it something I said?"
Shrugging Ding's attitude aside, he walked towards his room closing the door behind him. Lian opened his eyes minutes later after Ding had closed the bedroom door. He stared at the ceiling lost in thoughts at Ding's sudden behaviour. The single act of ensuring his comfortability won over all the terrible things Ding had done to him and he could feel his eyes sting. He covered his eyes with his forearm as tears flowed down his cheeks and onto the pillow.
"Why?"