Chapter 13: You Look Quite Cute When You Blush

By the time Sebastian stepped through the front door, supporting his waist, he felt as though his entire body were about to fall apart.

The walk from the taxi to the elevator hadn't been long, but he was drenched in sweat. Waves of aching stiffness surged from his lower back, feeling as if someone were twisting a hemp rope inside him.

He steadied himself by leaning against the hallway cabinet, eyes closed, panting for breath.

Behind him, Lucian followed him in and closed the door.

"What are you standing there for?" Sebastian asked without looking back. "Take my clothes off."

Lucian walked over and helped him out of the down jacket. Sebastian’s arms slid slowly out of the sleeves, his movements like a slow-motion film.

Once the jacket was off, Lucian hung it up and turned back to look at him.

Sebastian was still standing there, one hand bracing himself against the cabinet and the other supporting his waist. His head was lowered, hiding his expression, leaving only the lines of his nape and the slight rise and fall of his shoulders visible.

Lucian stepped closer, standing right beside him.

"Feeling rough?"

Sebastian didn't lift his head. "Just tired. And annoyed."

Lucian gave a soft "oh" in response.

He stood there for two seconds before turning to fetch the man's loungewear.

When he returned, Sebastian had already shuffled over to the sofa and was lowering himself slowly. He leaned back, eyes shut, his brow furrowed in a tight wince.

Lucian squatted down, setting the loungewear aside, and began by unbuckling the man's belt.

Sebastian opened his eyes into thin slits, gave him a glance, and closed them again.

Lucian kept his head down, his movements incredibly light. Once the belt was undone and the pants unzipped, he supported Sebastian’s waist to help him slide the trousers off.

Then came the top.

He propped Sebastian’s body up slightly, pulled the sweater over his head, and began to ease the loungewear on.

Halfway through the process, his movements faltered.

Sebastian wasn't wearing anything else beneath the loungewear.

The man’s physique was laid bare before his eyes.

He wasn't an exaggeratedly muscular man; instead, he had a lean layer of muscle with smooth, tight, and powerful lines. His collarbones were prominent, the curve of his shoulders was elegant, and his waist bore slight marks from the pressure of the medical brace.

His skin was very pale, glowing faintly under the room lights.

Lucian’s hands stopped in mid-air, his gaze lingering uncontrollably for a few extra heartbeats.

Sebastian opened his eyes and looked at him.

That gaze was cold, tinged with a hint of disdain.

"Seen enough?"

Caught red-handed, Lucian blinked in surprise, but then he laughed.

He didn't hide, nor did he act embarrassed. He simply looked back at Sebastian with a grin.

"Not enough," he said, his tone perfectly matter-of-fact.

Sebastian’s brow furrowed.

"I’m straight," he said, emphasizing every word. "I don't like men."

Lucian’s smile deepened.

He stopped being subtle; he decided to be completely shameless.

He leaned in closer until he was almost pressed against Sebastian’s body, whispering playfully, "I know."

Sebastian tried to pull back, but his aching waist wouldn't let him move; he could only allow the boy to close the distance.

"What are you doing?"

"Nothing," Lucian chuckled. "I just suddenly realized you have a really great body."

Sebastian took a deep breath.

"Get lost."

"No."

Lucian went as far as to press his entire body against the man, resting his chin on Sebastian’s shoulder and rubbing against it.

"You're an invalid right now," his voice was muffled and full of laughter. "You're weak. You can't beat me."

Sebastian was livid.

In all his thirty-four years, he had never been toyed with like this.

"Lucian."

"Yeah?"

"Just you wait."

"Wait for what?"

"Wait until I’m better—"

"And then beat me?" Lucian cut him off, laughing out loud. "I know, I know. You've said it eight hundred times already."

Sebastian was left speechless with frustration.

Taking advantage of the man's daze, Lucian rubbed his head into the crook of Sebastian’s neck again.

"Your hair is so soft," he said.

Sebastian’s entire frame went rigid.

"And," Lucian continued to rub, "you smell so good."

Sebastian’s face flushed red.

It wasn't shyness; it was pure rage.

He lifted his hand, wanting to push away the head that was nuzzling into his neck, but halfway through the motion, a sharp twinge in his waist forced him to drop it again.

Lucian’s laughter grew even brighter.

He pulled Sebastian into a tighter embrace, burying his head in the man's shoulder, his entire body shaking with mirth.

"What are you doing?" Sebastian squeezed the words out through his teeth.

"Nothing," Lucian said with a grin. "I just think you're quite cute like this."

Sebastian closed his eyes.

He didn't want to speak anymore.

He was afraid that if he said another word, he would die of pure rage on the spot.

Once Lucian had rubbed his fill, he lifted his head and looked at the man's utterly defeated expression, his eyes crinkling into crescents.

"Alright, alright," he said, loosening his grip slightly to help the man lean back against the sofa. "I’ll stop teasing you. I'm going to make dinner."

He stood up and headed for the kitchen.

Halfway there, he turned back.

"By the way," he added, that bratty, infuriating smile still on his face, "you really do look quite cute when you blush."

Sebastian grabbed a cushion and hurled it at him.

Lucian laughed as he dodged it and disappeared into the kitchen.

Sebastian leaned against the sofa, staring toward the kitchen, his chest heaving violently.

Wait until my back is better. I’m going to beat him until even his mother won't recognize him.

He swore the oath silently in his heart.