Yohan and Kian reached Yohan's apartment building, the silence of their journey stretching unbroken between them. Though they appeared ordinary to passersby, those who knew them well could sense a palpable shift in their demeanor.
Kian's usual stoic expression had melted away, replaced by an unexpected gentleness that radiated from his very being. A subtle warmth emanated from him, hinting at happiness despite the absence of a smile gracing his lips. It was as if tiny blossoms danced around him unseen, adding an ethereal touch to his aura.
Confusion still swirled within Kian's heart – a whirlwind stirred by Yohan's impulsive kiss. Yet, when those lips had met his own, instinct took over with breathtaking force. All thoughts vanished as he surrendered to the moment; the confusion dissolving into something raw and undeniable beneath Yohan's touch.
As for Yohan himself, his outward demeanor remained unchanged, but his lips betrayed the secret thrill coursing through him. They were already naturally rosy, but now they had deepened in hue and swelled slightly – A testament to something... naughty that had just transpired between them.
Despite the undeniable pleasure he felt from Kian's kiss, even without any official label defining their relationship, Yohan couldn't quite shake a sense of melancholy that clouded his features.
His thoughts drifted back to moments before they reached the apartment, particularly that electrifying kiss.
Their second kiss was undeniably hotter; this time Kian took charge, leading their lips in a deep and soulful dance that left Yohan breathless. He longed to respond with equal fervor, to pull Kian closer and deepen the intimacy further by wrapping his arms around his neck...
But just as he was about to make his move, a jarring crash shattered the moment. The sound of shattering glass echoed through the quiet street, jolting them both apart. Yohan's mind snapped back to reality; they were out in the open, on a side street despite its relative emptiness. A few motorcycles whizzed past and a group of drunk men grumbled about their mahjong losses as they stumbled along the sidewalk.
Yohan's eyes darted frantically, searching for the source of the shattering sound. His gaze landed on a shadowy figure lurking in a small alleyway just five meters behind them. His heart lurched to a standstill as his blood ran cold.
The figure was shrouded in darkness; a dark coat concealed most of their form, but their face was partially illuminated by a dim streetlight. He saw it then – a distinctive mole on the man's nose that seemed to stare back at him with malevolent intent.
The stranger's eyes were fixed solely on Kian, burning with an intensity that spoke of pure hatred and malice; it felt like he wanted nothing more than to see Kian suffer unimaginable pain. Then those chilling eyes shifted towards Yohan, and for a fleeting moment, a twisted smile spread across the man's face. It was a smile that spoke of madness and something deeply unsettling - one that was enough to send a wave of primal fear coursing through Yohan's veins.
As if sensing Kian's gaze, the figure vanished into the shadows quickly, disappearing without a trace just as Kian turned his head towards the alleyway where Yohan was staring in horror.
"Did you see anything?" Kian asked, his voice laced with concern. "That loud noise came from there, right?"
Yohan desperately wanted to tell Kian about the menacing figure lurking in the shadows, but he knew it would trigger an immediate chase from Kian. If not for those chilling glances directed at Kian, Yohan might have let him investigate on his own.
But this time, he couldn't risk it. He couldn't bear the thought of Kian rushing into danger, especially after all they had been through together in their past life. If something happened to Kian again... Yohan shuddered at the thought, unable to imagine facing another loss so profound.
He turned away from the alleyway, forcing a reassuring smile onto his face as he met Kian's gaze. "There's nothing to worry about," he said, shaking his head gently. "I just wanted to see what made that noise – I was annoyed our kiss got interrupted."
It wasn't entirely a lie; anger did simmer within him at having their moment broken so abruptly by an unwelcome intrusion. But it was a carefully constructed facade, masking the fear and unease that gnawed at his insides.
The figure's intense gaze, especially the way it lingered on Kian with such venomous intent, had left an indelible mark on him. Was this someone connected to the mysterious benefactor who had been watching over him? Or was this individual entirely separate from that enigmatic presence?
And if they were related… did that mean the mysterious person wasn't as benevolent as Yohan had hoped?
Yohan felt Kian's cool fingers gently tucking a stray strand of hair behind his ear. The usual stoicism on Kian's face seemed to melt away, replaced by a tenderness that was both unexpected and alluring. Kian's ears even flushed pink at the sight of Yohan's annoyance over their interrupted kiss.
"Maybe it's good that the kiss was cut short," Kian murmured softly. "I almost forgot we were still out in public."
Despite lingering anger and confusion about the shadowy figure they had encountered, Yohan couldn't help but chuckle at Kian's words. He leaned in playfully, meeting Kian's gaze with a teasing grin.
"Are you saying you wouldn't mind doing more if we weren't out here right now?"
Kian's hand moved from Yohan's hair to cup his cheek, his thumb stroking gently against his skin as if mesmerized by Yohan's audacity.
"Of course not," he said with mock disapproval, though his tone held a hint of amusement. "You really are a pervert."
Kian couldn't help but recall their previous encounters – Yohan's accidental touches against his body; the lingering brush of fingers against his ass followed by an equally bold grab for his chest. Each time, Kian had been left breathless and bewildered by Yohan's audacity.
Yohan's lips twitched in response, recalling the accidental incidents that had led to their previous awkward encounters – like when Yohan had accidentally grabbed Kian's ass or chest. He wasn't about to clear them up though; after all, those mishaps had inadvertently given him opportunities to touch Kian.
Yohan captured Kian's hand, the one cupping his cheek, and brought it to his lips. His teeth grazed lightly against Kian's finger before sinking in for a sharp, playful bite.
A satisfied smirk played on Yohan's lips as he watched Kian's reaction – not pain or flinching, but rather a flicker of shock that quickly melted into something akin to amusement. He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a husky whisper.
"Just because I'm a pervert doesn't mean I'll do anything you want... R18 stuff is reserved for those who are in a committed relationship with me..."
He paused for dramatic effect before adding with a mischievous glint in his eye.
"Men who want statusless relationships with me won't have any opportunities."
Kian was left speechless for a moment, his expression unreadable. Finally, he let out a long sigh. "Just like you said before," he replied softly, "I need time to sort things out."
Yohan chuckled lightly and gently squeezed Kian's hand. "Don't worry," he reassured him gently, though there was an underlying firmness in his tone. "I wasn't serious about giving you an ultimatum or anything." A playful smirk returned to his lips as he leaned closer again. "But I don't want to waste any more of our time. So let's say, a month? I want an answer by then."
Kian knew a month wasn't nearly enough time to untangle the confusing web of emotions swirling within him. There was a pull towards Yohan, an undeniable attraction, yet something felt forbidden, taboo even. He couldn't quite grasp it himself, but he nodded in agreement nonetheless.
Yohan's lips curved into a satisfied smirk at Kian's acquiescence. He scanned their surroundings and noticed that the street was empty; only another couple dared to flirt under a nearby lamppost. Seizing the opportunity, Yohan wrapped Kian's neck with his arms and captured his lips for the third time that night.
Their kiss deepened as Kian instinctively wrapped his hands around Yohan's waist, pulling him closer until –
CRASSHH!!!
A deafening sound like wooden crates being violently thrown about echoed through the alleyway behind them. Yohan and Kian stumbled back in shock, the sudden noise shattering the intimacy of their moment. Even the nearby couple shrieked in alarm and scattered into the night.
The source of that terrifying sound was unmistakable – it came from that same alleyway! Yohan's face hardened with anger as he recognized it as coming from that suspicious figure who had been lurking earlier. He instantly grabbed Kian's wrist, pulling him towards his apartment building without a word.
"Let's go back to my place," he said curtly, urgency lacing his voice.
"Okay," Kian murmured, though a flicker of satisfaction danced across his face despite their interrupted kiss – a stark contrast to Yohan's sullen expression as they hurried away from the unsettling sounds emanating from the shadows behind them.