As soon as they arrived at the apartment, Lucian hurriedly changed into a more casual outfit. He came out of their bedroom wearing a soft white cotton shirt and white cotton pants.
Eugene also wore the same kind of shirt and pants, just in a different shade of white.
"Let's do it; let's do it," Lucian repeatedly said while shaking Eugene's shoulders. It became his habit to just make his roommate feel dizzy whenever he's excited.
As usual, Eugene escaped from the young alpha's grasp first before he answered, "Let's move the table and chairs first. We'll do push-ups here in the living room."
"Okay!" Lucian diligently carried the chairs and placed them closer to the wall. Eugene did the same with the square table. The vase also lay near the wall. "Done! Shall we start?" Lucian beamed, his body buzzing out of eagerness.
Eugene raised an eyebrow, smiling at him teasingly. "Why are you so excited?"
"I want more of this," Lucian said, pointing at his biceps. "I want to look sexy."
Eugene's eyes widened before bursting into a loud laugh. His blue eyes turned into crescents as a pink hue tinted his fair cheeks. "What—Pfft..." He laughed again as if what Lucian said was the funniest joke he had ever heard.
Lucian was unimpressed by his reaction.
Eugene was scared that the bronze-skinned businessman would be pissed off, so he forced himself to stop grinning like an idiot. He reached out a pat to Lucian's biceps. "What are you talking about, Lucian? You're already sexy to begin with."
Lucian did not trust Eugene's bullshit. He swatted the older alpha's hands. "You're not fooling anyone here, Eugene."
"I'm not lying, though?" Eugene was offended after being labeled as a liar. That was the truth for him!
"Let's just get on with this, Eugene!" Lucian snarled in impatience.
Eugene had no choice but to obediently demonstrate the push-up as well as how many repetitions they needed. Lucian listened attentively. After watching Eugene, he immediately followed.
Thus, the workout started with Lucian panting as soon as he reached the fifth repetition.
"Haah... Bugger, I can't feel my body anymore... Eugene..." He groaned with gritted teeth.
Eugene's lips twitched after hearing Lucian groan his name seductively. "Stop saying my name; I'm not your mother," he scolded as sweat trickled down his forehead down to his tall nose. Unlike the struggling Lucian, his breathing was still normal, and his pace did not wane at all.
Lucian saw this and was instantly envious. He felt like doing something stupid just to interrupt his dedicated coach.
And so he stopped moving for a while before shifting his body, now facing Eugene's side. 'Wow, he looks extremely attractive from this angle,' Lucian whistled in his head with a grin. 'I wonder if he'll still look handsome after this?' he laughed like a devil inside his mind.
"Eugene, you're working so hard, and for whom is it?" Lucian taunted as he scooted closer, his nose almost touching Eugene's cheek. He was confident Eugene would not lash out on him, since this time he made sure not to leak out his pheromones by applying a thicker patch.
Feeling the younger man's hot breath on his neck and his nose poking his sweaty cheeks made Eugene's steady arms falter a little bit. He gritted his teeth to maintain his balance. "Lucian, what are you doing?" he whispered with a side glare towards the younger man.
Seeing that his taunting was taking effect, Lucian dared to actually move his face in front of Eugene's, so their eyes naturally met. The beautiful golden eyes scanned the crystal-blue ones as if appraising their quality.
Eugene's breath hitched. He can feel his face getting hotter than ever. "Lucian," he called out in warning.
"What's wrong? You don't like an alpha being this close to you?" Lucian smirked, his body leaning closer. "Or do you find this tempting?" he whispered in a low voice. "Are you into... alphas?" Lucian's golden eyes stared at Eugene as if assessing his expressions.
Something seemed to snap out of Eugene's patience. He suddenly stopped moving. His chest was moving heavily as pants came out of his parted pink lips. "Lucian, why are you doing this?" he asked in a restrained tone, his gaze boring into Lucian's face.
No matter how he saw it, he knew that Lucian was only doing this for fun. And he was right.
Lucian leaned back as he rolled on the floor with a chuckle. "You look so cute with your cheeks all flushed. Don't tell me I had that effect on you?" He sat up as he gave Eugene a big smile. "Do I?"
"And if I said 'yes', would you stop playing with my feelings?" Eugene wanted to retort back. But he pursed his lips instead. He didn't say anything as he stood up before going to the bathroom. The door closed with an audible slam.
Lucian froze in his place. 'Had I gone too far? My friends and I tease each other like this before, so I thought it was just normal to do so. Was he angry?' His wide smile dissipated as he started to fidget in front of the bathroom door. He could only hear the running water and nothing else.
Instead of standing like an idiot, he decided to just fix the table and chairs first before changing into a new set of clothes since they were already filled with sweat. Eugene was still inside the bathroom by the time he was finished.
He gently knocked on the door. "Eugene...?" he called out softly. His eyes were downcast with guilt. Maybe he shouldn't have done that. He thought playing around with Eugene like that would be fine. Alas, everyone is not the same.
He acknowledged his mistake and was planning to apologize to Eugene. But no one responded to his call.
He pursed his lips and looked at the floor instead. "Uhm... I'm going to prepare lunch first, so... If you're hungry, just come to... come to me," he tried talking with confidence, but his voice gradually weakened. "Eugene?" he tried calling out again. "Let's talk later, okay?"
"..."
Lucian bit his lower lip before turning back on the door. He went to the kitchen with heavy steps.
Eugene, on the other hand, was clasping his lips close with his left hand as he tried to muffle his moans. His other hand did wonders for his aroused body.
'Lucian... Lucian...' he moaned with his eyes closed tightly. His body shivered as he pumped faster.
"Ngh..." A groan escaped his lips as he soon reached his orgasm. He stared at his own hand, shame washing all over him like a rain shower.
'Bloody hell, I masturbated with Lucian in mind. I'm definitely going crazy,' he cursed in his mind as he washed it off with the running water. He then wiped his misty eyes, which showed how worked up he was because of what Lucian did.
He chuckled with hatred for himself. "I think I did a different kind of workout, Lucian. I'm sorry."
He then went out of the bathroom as if nothing had happened.
He wore a new set of clothes first before he quietly walked towards the kitchen. Eugene was expecting to see Lucian's back, but he was surprised to see the bronze-skinned alpha facing his direction, as if patiently waiting for him to come.
Eugene saw how Lucian's eyes glowed when he saw Eugene walking towards him. He hastily welcomed the blonde man with clenched fists. Eugene seriously thought that Lucian would punch him because he might've discovered that he was jerking off in the bathroom, but instead, warmth enveloped his body. It was only then that he realized.
Lucian was hugging him. So tight. As if he were afraid of something.
Eugene's alpha instincts dominated as he embraced Lucian's waist with his sturdy arms. He gently caressed the man's back with his finger. "What's wrong?" His instincts were telling him to keep the person in front of him safe and away from any negative emotions, and so he gave him physical comfort through his touches.
Lucian's misty golden eyes came into view. His lips parted as he mouthed, "I'm sorry." Lucian's voice was soft and weak, almost like a whisper. He bit his lower lip as he tried to gain more confidence. "I'm sorry, Eugene," he repeated, slightly louder than before.
Seeing the man he likes looking all cute and pitiful like this, Eugene couldn't help but raise his hand to caress Lucian's cheek. "Why are you apologizing?" he asked as his thumb rubbed the smooth bronze skin. "What did you do?"
"I... I shouldn't have teased you. I felt that you were uncomfortable with it. I'm sorry. I won't do it again," Lucian answered honestly, like a good boy.
Eugene remained silent, his eyes trained on the beautiful man in his arms. His forefinger pressed the edge of Lucian's eyes, feeling the eyelashes flutter on his sensitive skin. Everything about Lucian makes him breathless. Lucian was just so gorgeous. He wanted to claim him just for himself.
"Do you know why I felt uncomfortable, Lucian?" Eugene finally asked after the long silence.
Lucian obediently shook his head. He swore to himself that he would be honest and obedient when he was with Eugene. He really doesn't want them to fight. He likes Eugene as a person and a friend. He can't afford to lose someone as precious as Eugene.
Eugene's gaze was filled with affection and fondness as he continued pinching and caressing Lucian's cheeks. "I was uncomfortable because you said I'm into alphas, but other than that, it's a different kind of discomfort," he murmured gently. "I hated alphas all my life."
"Including me?" Lucian gasped, his golden eyes wide.
Eugene chuckled as he swayed their bodies together until Lucian was now leaning on the kitchen countertop. "How could I hate you? You're the only exception," he said, pinching the tip of Lucian's nose.
"Then why?" Lucian tilted his head in wonder. "Why do you hate alphas?"
Eugene's calm expression turned cold. "A group of alphas killed my father, and they even dared to touch my mother before killing her. I couldn't forgive them. It's hard to forget, and it's even harder not to have prejudice toward those people who belong to the same social group, to the point that I even hated myself for being an alpha. A useless alpha."
Lucian looked at him with his golden eyes glowing softly. He gently rubbed Eugene's shoulder before opening his mouth to talk. "Is that why you're not interacting with them?" Lucian was referring to those alpha nobles.
"Yes, especially noble alphas," Eugene said, his body leaning closer to Lucian. "I hated you at first, too. You look like an alpha and even talk like an alpha. But you're just so unique and special. You don't act like them. Your personality is not controlled by your instincts either. I almost thought you're just a beta with a good body." Eugene chuckled.
Lucian furrowed his brows, his hands slapping the man's shoulder. "Stop fooling around. I'm being serious here," he scolded strictly.
"I'm serious too!" Eugene laughed as his hands pinched Lucian's waist. "Your body looks great. It feels great, too."
Lucian didn't know why, but he suddenly felt like hot air was coming out of his ears. His cheek was now red. He held back Eugene's hand, which was pinching his waist. "You shouldn't touch a man like this, Eugene. They might misinterpret you," he reprimanded seriously, his gaze landing on the man's hand in his hold.
"Misinterpret what?" Eugene challenged with a question. 'Tell me what you think, Lucian. Tell me.'
Lucian's eyes rose to glare at him. "Misinterpreting that you have feelings for them. Friends can't be this close, Eugene. I hugged you because I was sad you'd be mad at me. But you didn't break the hug even after reconciling with me, even pulling me closer to you. It's as if..." he paused, scared that he would slip up and end up embarrassing himself from his assumptions.
"As if what, hmm?" Eugene's lips were hovering on Lucian's ears, as if a devil were whispering heavens to him. "Tell me what it is, Lucian..."
Lucian's fingers shook as he realized what the meaning of Eugene's challenge was. The way the blonde alpha leaned closer just to whisper in his ear like a lover, the way his arms wrapped around his waist protectively like a husband, and the way their bodies were pressed together like mates.
"Eugene..." he gasped with a jolt as he felt the man pressing his soft lips on his temple. "Eugene, what are you—"
"You were right, Lucian. You're very smart. Smart enough to know that you can make me feel this way—feel so frustrated and hungry just from being in close proximity with you. You know, right? You know I was trying to win you over, but you pretended like it was normal. Like it's what friends usually do. Am I right?"
Lucian heaved a deep breath, his fingers clenching into a fist. "Stop talking; I... I need some time to think."
"Sure, Lucian. You can have all the time in the world." Eugene's calm and comforting voice echoed in the kitchen as he slowly caressed Lucian's back. "Is the lunch ready before I went here? It would be hilarious if it would suddenly smell like something was burned here," he asked lightly, changing the topic as if nothing's wrong.
Lucian nodded. "I finished the lunch earlier than expected. You spent quite a long time in the bathroom," he pointed out innocently.
Eugene cleared his throat. "I just spent a long time reflecting on my actions. Don't worry, it was nothing of importance," Eugene answered with a righteous expression.
Lucian nodded with a hum.
They continued hugging in silence. No one spoke. Time ticked by before Lucian finally moved. He gently placed his hand near Eugene's heart before softly asking, "Am I here?"
Eugene visibly stiffened at Lucian's question. His face turned red after seeing Lucian's adorable face staring straight at his left chest, as if he were trying to see what's inside. He couldn't answer anything. He stared at Lucian in a daze.
Lucian's eyes were still on Eugene's chest as he repeated his question, "Eugene, am I the one in your heart?"
"Yes, Lucian. Damn yes," Eugene whispered back with so much affection that he cursed. "The only one right here." He clasped their hands together before placing it on his chest.
Lucian slowly nodded before finally looking up at him. "But I don't like you the same," he murmured breathlessly. His hands tightened on Eugene's own. "Will you leave me then?"
Eugene's eyes softened. "How could I do that? It's fine even if we're just friends," Eugene whispered while caressing Lucian's nape. "As long as I can be with you, I'm fine with anything." He moved his face closer, just enough for their foreheads to touch together. "I like you so much, Lucian."
Lucian stared into Eugene's blue eyes before gently smiling at him. "I might not like you back right now, but who knows? Maybe I'll come to like you as a lover if you woo me enough to receive my love."
Eugene's imaginary cat ears perked up. "Then...?" His breathing hitched as he looked at Lucian's golden eyes with anticipation.
"I'm saying that you can be my suitor," Lucian said, his eyes turning into crescents. 'It's not like your brother, Cheng Ge, doesn't have a taste, ah. I like men too! It's just that men on modern Earth are all scum, so I could only be straight. Yingying.'
Eugene felt like he won the lottery without even knowing that he bought a ticket. His blue eyes glinted with sheer delight as he buried his face on Lucian's neck. "Heavens, you don't know how much this means to me, Lucian."
Lucian laughed as he played with the man's golden locks of hair. "Well, surprise?"
"Then, can I hug you like this? Every time?" Eugene moved his face in front of Lucian, his eager eyes staring at him.
Lucian looked up as if he were thinking. "It depends, I guess. Let's not display too much affection in public just yet. But if it's just the two of us, then..." Lucian gave him a meaningful smile. "But you can't really make me like you just by hugging me," he added as a warning. "You have to woo me with your greatness!"
Eugene grinned before nuzzling his face back to Lucian's neck again. "No problem. I'll show you all of my assets soon," he said smugly.
Lucian gently nodded. His expression, though, suddenly stiffened as he felt a certain alpha sniffing his neck up to his nape, where his glands were. "Eugene?" he called out.
"You smell so good. I want more of your scent, Lucian," Eugene whined, his nose nudging the patch away, but it clung tightly to the bronze skin. Eugene suddenly felt annoyed at the patch, sincerely wanting to just tear it apart.
Lucian pushed Eugene's face away from his nape, his expression serious. "No. You can't be close to my glands unless I like you back and we're getting married. This is sacred," he reprimanded before softly caressing Eugene's hair. "Be patient."
Eugene sighed in defeat. "Fine." He settled on just sniffing, hugging, and caressing Lucian. "I like you, Lucian."
"Mmm, I know," Lucian hummed in acknowledgement.
"I really, really like you."
"Mmm..."
"I like you so much."
"Yes."
"Lucian... I like you."
"Eugene."
"Sorry," Eugene finally stopped his repeated "I like you" with a small voice. He nuzzled Lucian's cheek with a smile. "I just want to remind you how much I want to be with you."
"Well, then. Thank you for your kind reminder, sir," Lucian said with a laugh. "You really sound like you're drunk."
"I can't be drunk while the sun is high, right? Let's eat lunch. My stomach can't be full just from sniffing and hugging you," Eugene joked as he helped Lucian move away from the kitchen top.
"I've been waiting for you to say that. I'm hungry too."