"What… What did you mean by that Charles?" Augustine inquired while stuttering because he literally couldn't believe his ears.
Charles gulped down his saliva, letting out a deep breath. "I… I almost died," he spat, his voice barely above a whisper.
Augustine nods his head promptly, agreeing to the words of Charles. "I am so sorry for putting your life in danger." Augustine apologised, giving the palm of Charles a warm gentle squeeze.
Silence…
Augustine shifted uncomfortably in the heavy silence that followed his apology and Charles silent feature made Augustine to become extremely worried. "How are you feeling?" he ventured, anxious to change the subject.
Charles nods his head, pushing himself to take a proper seat on the hospital bed.
He gently withdrew his hand from Augustine's grip, reaching for the bottle of water on the bedside table.
Charles tugged the bottle of water to his chest, fumbling with the tightly sealed cap. Despite his efforts, the stubborn cap refused to budge.
As Charles's struggle persisted, Augustine reached out and deftly collected the bottle from his grasp.
With a quick twist, the cap surrendered its hold, and Augustine held the opened bottle out to Charles.
Charles gulped down the entire bottle of water, chugging it with a single long swallow.
Afterward, he tossed the empty bottle into the trash can next to his bed, as he tried to compose himself.
"Where's the contract?"
"H-huh?"
"I thought you needed me to sign a sex contract? Where is it and how much am I getting from it?" Charles probed with a serious tone.
Augustine scoffed, rising from where he was seated as he walked up towards the door.
Charles watched in silence as Augustine closed the door tightly, ensuring their privacy.
Then, Augustine returned to his seat on the bed while smiling nervously.
"Charles," Augustine implored, his voice rising with urgency as he placed a hand on Charles's shoulder.
Augustine's voice dropped to a softer pitch, his gaze fixed on Charles. "Why… why are suddenly agreeing to my words? You were angry about the contract." His words were sincere, tinged with the frustration of not understanding Charles's motivations. "Besides the reason why you end up in this hospital is because the thought of my contract repulse you." Augustine sincerely stated.
Had it not been for that discussion about the sex contract, Charles wouldn't have made the impulsive decision to jump from the tree.
The consequences of that conversation was what head him to the hospital.
Augustine kept staring at Charles with an arched gaze, patiently waiting for a reply.
"Augustine," Charles whispered, his gaze locked onto Augustine's. "Hours ago, I thought I'd fallen to my death, but after waking up in this hospital, I realized that life is indeed short," Charles stated, his words hung in the air, heavy with the weight of a newfound understanding.
"I only ever dated one girl, Anna," Charles explained. "I gave my entire heart to her, but she discarded me as if I am trash and unworthy of love."
Once more, Charles paused his phrase halfway as he gulped down his saliva. "I am… I am aware that you are a full time gay guy but I am not." Charles stated. "I have limited time here on earth so I won't mind sleeping with a guy just for fun."
His gaze met Augustine's lips, studying him intently.
Augustine fluttered his eyelashes as he took in a deep breath. "What do you mean you have limited time on Earth?" Augustine asked, concern coloring his voice. "Do you plan on killing yourself?" His eyes searched Charles' face for an answer, a knot of worry forming in his gut.
Charles shook his head sideways as a dry scoff escaped his lips. "Maybe it'd be easier if I just ended it all," Charles sighed, his voice heavy with resignation.
"Pookie, why are you acting so strange?" Augustine's brow furrowed with more concern. "Are you feeling okay? Should I call the doctor?" He reached for the hospital room's call button, a growing fear clouding his features.
"I'm totally fine," Charles stated, his voice unwavering. "I just don't want to hold myself back anymore in exploring new things."
The corner of his mouth twitched in a faint, tremulous smile as he asserted himself. "Besides, you're handsome, rich, and tall. If you were a girl, I'd have a crush on you even with your obnoxious personality," Charles teased, his smile becoming a bit more genuine.
"Hahaha!" Augustine burst out laughing, his cheeks flushing with amusement. "Glad to know I tick all your boxes!" he quipped, his eyes glinting with mischief.
Charles rolled his eyes sarcastically. "You didn't think all the boxes so stop feeling high and mighty." He seethed with a nonviolent tone.
Augustine sighs, his laughter slowly dying down.
"Charles Donald," Augustine said, his voice suddenly taking on a sober, serious tone. "I won't enter into a sexual contract with you unless you're ready to commit. I do things very rough and I'll push your boundaries."." He pointed out.
Charles reached out and took Augustine's hand, running his fingertips over the skin in a tender, intimate gesture. "You know, I'm not afraid to push my limits with you," he murmured, a hint of vulnerability creeping into his voice.
Charles lifted Augustine's hand from the bed, pressing it against his cheek, the heat of his skin searing against Augustine's palm.
He whispered, "Kiss me, Augustine Wales," his voice husky with longing.
"H-huh?"
"I want you to kiss me, Augustine. I want to know if I can handle being in a sexual relationship with a guy." Charles stated.
Augustine's expression grew intense, his brows furrowing as he leaned in closer to Charles, tilting his head to the side in a silent invitation.
With eyes closed, he allowed himself to surrender to the moment.
Charles's hands slid to Augustine's cheeks, his fingertips brushing the hairline as he drew closer, his eyes fluttering closed.
Lips parting, he tipped his head forward until… their lips…