Chapter 11: His Lips are Soft

Sebastian began reviewing his files while Lucian was still squatted by the sofa, supporting the man's waist with his hands.

"Gently," Sebastian said without looking up, flipping a page. "Just hold it steady; don't press."

Lucian rolled his eyes internally.

Just hold it steady.

What was he, a human cushion?

But he said nothing, simply adjusting his posture and continuing to provide support.

After reading for a while, Sebastian reached out and pinched Lucian’s arm sharply.

"Ow!" Lucian hissed in pain. "What was that for?"

Still not looking up, Sebastian said, "You were cursing me in your head just now."

Lucian froze. "How did you know?"

Sebastian didn't answer, merely flipping to the next page.

Lucian stared at the back of the man's head, silently calling him petty once more. However, he didn't dare say it out loud and obediently kept holding him.

The office fell silent, save for the rhythmic rustle of paper.

Lucian’s gaze drifted over to Sebastian.

The man was leaning sideways against the sofa, one hand propped under his chin and the other flipping through documents. His posture seemed lazy, but his back was actually tense, not daring to fully relax. He had taken off his down jacket, leaving him in a cream-colored sweater. The loose collar hung low, revealing a sliver of his collarbone.

His eyelashes were long, and his eyes were captivating. The fingers turning the pages were slender and well-defined, with neatly trimmed nails.

As Lucian watched, a sudden thought bubbled up…

He wanted to hold him.

The moment the thought appeared, he scared himself.

Hold him? Why? The guy was unbearable, sharp-tongued, always bossing people around, and his pinches actually hurt…

But the thought took root in his mind like a stubborn weed.

Lucian cursed himself silently:

You’ve lost your damn mind.

He averted his gaze and stared at the opposite bookshelf, beginning to count how many books were there.

——————

Evening, at a restaurant.

Sebastian was sitting in a booth propped up by cushions, with Lucian beside him. Lucian had originally intended to sit across from him, but after a single glance at Sebastian before sitting down, he changed his mind and slid into the seat next to him.

"What?" Sebastian asked.

Lucian said nothing, merely leaning closer and resting his arm along the back of the seat behind the man.

Sebastian gave him a look but didn't say anything more.

The steaks arrived.

Sebastian picked up his knife and fork, cut a piece, and put it in his mouth. After chewing, he set the utensils down and looked at Lucian.

Lucian was busy cutting his own steak, but sensing the gaze, he looked up.

"What is it?"

"Cut it for me."

Lucian blinked, looking down at the man's plate. "Don't you have hands?"

"Too lazy to move."

Lucian took a deep breath.

He set down his own utensils, dragged Sebastian's plate over, and began cutting.

Sebastian leaned back against the seat, pulled out his phone, and started scrolling through the news.

After a moment, the corners of his mouth curved up.

As Lucian cut the steak, he stole a glance. Seeing that smile, he couldn't help but lean in to see the screen.

"What's so funny?"

The screen was flooded with scandals surrounding Marcus.

"Prominent Lawyer Marcus Suspected of Receiving Stolen Goods; Police Investigation Underway."

"Close Ties Between Marcus and Local Business Owner Exposed; Chat Logs Leaked."

"Exclusive: Evidence of Plagiarism in Marcus’s Early Academic Papers."

Lucian was stunned.

He turned to look at Sebastian.

The smile on Sebastian’s face was faint, but Lucian got the distinct impression that this man was smirking over a successful scheme.

"You leaked those?" Lucian asked.

Sebastian didn't answer. He simply put his phone away and began eating the steak Lucian had cut for him.

"Give me some space," Sebastian said without looking up, his tone dismissive. "Why are you leaning so close?"

"Don't ask questions you shouldn't be asking."

That tone was exactly what Lucian hated most, and his temper flared instantly.

"You!"

Before he could finish his sentence, his arms were already out, pulling Sebastian into a firm embrace.

He locked the man in place, one arm wrapped around his waist—carefully protecting it without exerting pressure—while the other hand gripped the man's wrist.

Sebastian grew uneasy. "What are you doing?"

Lucian looked down at him, his tone provocative. "You can't beat me right now."

Sebastian’s brow furrowed. "Let go."

"I won't."

"Lucian."

"Yeah?"

Sebastian stared at him, his gaze turning cold.

Lucian stared back, completely unfazed.

"If you ever talk to me like that again," Lucian said, emphasizing every word, "I'll hit you."

Sebastian let out a laugh of pure exasperation. "Go ahead and try."

Lucian tightened his grip slightly—not enough to cause real harm, but enough to make the man feel his strength.

"Don't move," he said. "If you hurt your back, you’re the one who suffers."

Sebastian took a deep breath.

He truly wanted to give this kid a thrashing.

But he couldn't move.

With his waist protected and his wrist held, he was pinned in Lucian’s embrace, completely immobilized.

He glared at Lucian.

Lucian glared back.

They were at a stalemate, neither willing to be the first to let go.

In truth, Lucian was feeling a bit apprehensive. He was worried about Sebastian’s back, so he was supporting it with extreme care, not daring to use real force. However, he kept a fierce expression on his face, acting as if he weren't afraid at all.

Sebastian saw right through him, guessing that the boy wouldn't actually dare to hurt him.

Emboldened, his attitude grew sharper.

"Let go," he said, still using that commanding tone.

Lucian didn't budge.

"Did you hear me?"

Lucian still didn't move.

Sebastian smiled. It was the kind of smile that made Lucian’s skin crawl.

"What's the matter?" Sebastian’s voice was leisurely and mocking. "Don't dare to use force? Afraid I'll be in pain?"

Lucian’s face stiffened.

Sebastian continued, "Holding me but not daring to do anything... What are you, a paper tiger?"

Lucian’s face flushed a deep red. "Shut up!"

"I won't." Sebastian’s smile widened. "What are you going to do about it?"

Lucian stared at him.

He stared at that smiling face, those bright eyes, and those lips that kept moving.

His mind went completely blank.

Then he leaned down and bit.

It wasn't a kiss; it was a bite.

He bit right down on Sebastian’s lip.

Two seconds.

Both of them froze simultaneously.

Lucian let go and recoiled, eyes wide as he stared at Sebastian.

Sebastian stared back.

The air felt as if it had solidified.

Then—

Slap.

A crisp, loud slap.

Lucian clutched his face, staring at Sebastian.

There was a faint tooth mark on Sebastian’s lip. His face went through a rapid succession of colors—rage, and perhaps something else.

They just stared at each other.

After a long time, Lucian lowered his hand, the red mark from the slap vivid on his cheek.

But he wasn't angry anymore.

He didn't know why, but the anger had simply vanished.

He stared at the bite mark on Sebastian’s lip, and a thought suddenly popped into his head—

Soft.

His lips are soft.