Chapter 21: A Kiss in the Stairwell

Lucian supported his waist, leading him back toward the car.

Sebastian remained silent, simply following along. He walked very slowly, every step looking as if he were measuring the ground beneath him.

Lucian glanced down at him.

"What’s wrong?"

Sebastian didn't lift his head.

"Stop annoying me."

"I’m truly in awe of you, Counselor."

"You," Lucian continued, "are incredibly stubborn, and you've got a terrible temper to boot."

Sebastian tried to push him away.

But the moment his hand rose, Lucian snatched it in a firm grip, pinning him against his chest so he couldn't move an inch.

"You—"

Before the words could leave his lips, Lucian leaned down and kissed him.

Their lips pressed together; Lucian ground against him with force, as if trying to bruise something into him.

Sebastian pushed at him, but he wouldn't budge. He tried to dodge, but there was no escape. Trapped in that embrace, he was kissed until he was breathless.

After a long, long time.

Lucian let him go.

Sebastian leaned against him, his chest heaving. His lips were slightly swollen, his eyes a bit red, and he looked utterly disheveled.

Watching his handiwork, Lucian’s eyes crinkled into crescents, his shoulders shaking with laughter.

"See," he said, a smile in his voice. "One kiss and you’re not so stubborn anymore."

Sebastian glared at him, a string of curses on the tip of his tongue. He was angry enough to want to beat this bastard until he was crawling on the floor.

But he just leaned there, panting, unable to utter a single word.

Lucian chuckled, pulled him a bit tighter, and continued walking toward the car.

...

The interior of the car was dim.

Lucian stuffed Sebastian into the passenger seat and circled around to the driver's side. The moment the door closed, the noise of the outside world was cut off, leaving only the sound of their heavy, suppressed breathing.

He wasn't in a hurry to drive.

He turned sideways, watching Sebastian.

Sebastian leaned against the headrest, his chest still heaving. His lips were red and swollen, and his face wore an expression Lucian had never seen before... he looked fragile.

Looking at him, a place in Lucian’s heart softened.

He leaned over, burying his face in the crook of the man's neck, taking a deep breath.

The scent of laundry detergent, mixed with a faint, unique scent that belonged only to Sebastian.

"You mother—" Sebastian’s voice came from above, laced with suppressed rage.

Lucian didn't move; he just pulled the man into a full embrace.

"Don't move," his voice was muffled against the man's shoulder. "Let me hold you for a second."

Sebastian’s body was rigid, but he didn't push him away.

The car remained silent for a long time until both their breathing had calmed.

Lucian loosened his grip slightly and looked at him.

In the dim light, Sebastian’s eyes were bright, as if shimmering with something.

"You really didn't feel anything?" Lucian asked softly.

Sebastian said nothing.

Lucian raised his hand, gently touching the man's face.

"Your body betrayed you, Counselor."

Sebastian’s frame stiffened for a split second.

Then his eyes grew red; he felt like he was losing his mind.

He couldn't accept himself like this.

He couldn't accept being kissed into breathlessness by a twenty-one-year-old punk, couldn't accept leaning on him to have his back massaged, couldn't accept that for a moment just now, he had truly forgotten to push him away—and he definitely couldn't accept...

Lucian watched him, watched that expression that looked like it was about to shatter.

Suddenly feeling a pang of regret, Lucian let go. He didn't move again, simply keeping him lightly in his arms, resting his chin on the top of Sebastian's head.

"Alright," he said softly. "I'm done messing with you."

Sebastian leaned in his arms, unmoving.

The sound of sporadic firecrackers drifted from afar; somewhere, someone was celebrating the New Year.

Lucian held him, patting his back with steady strokes.

After a long, long time.

Sebastian spoke, his voice raspy.

"...Drive."

Lucian looked down at him, confused.

"Where to?"

Sebastian’s eyes were closed, his eyelashes damp, but the shattered look on his face had vanished.

"To a hotel."

Lucian smiled, gently releasing him as he prepared to start the car.

"And what do we tell your mother?"

Sebastian rubbed the bridge of his nose, feeling utterly vexed. "Forget it. Let's go upstairs."

As soon as the words were out, Sebastian pushed the door open, supporting his waist as he climbed out slowly. Lucian followed, locked the car, and stood beside him.

"Let's go," Sebastian said.

"Sure."

They walked toward the stairwell together.

Even in the afternoon, the stairwell was dimly lit, the walls covered in small advertisements. Sebastian held the handrail as he climbed slowly, with Lucian following behind, his gaze fixed on the man's back.

Reaching the landing between the second and third floors, Lucian suddenly reached out and caught his hand.

Sebastian’s footsteps stopped.

He turned around.

In the dim hallway, Lucian’s eyes were bright, filled with uncertainty, anticipation, and a trace of cautious probing.

Sebastian looked at him.

Then he reached out, wrapped his arms around the boy’s neck, tilted his head up, and kissed him.

!!!

Lucian was completely frozen.

He stood there, eyes wide, feeling the warm touch against his lips, his mind a total blank.

After a few seconds, Sebastian let him go.

He looked at him, at that stunned, open-mouthed expression, and the corners of his mouth curved slightly.

"You-you-you—" Lucian’s tongue felt like it was tied in knots. "What was that for?!"

Sebastian said nothing.

He released his grip, turned around, and continued walking upstairs.

The sound of his footsteps echoed in the stairwell, one by one, growing distant.

Lucian snapped out of it and lunged after him.

"Sebastian!!!"

His voice echoed through the stairwell.

By the time Lucian caught up, Sebastian had reached the fourth floor and was fishing for his keys to open the door.

"What was that just now... you..." Lucian stood behind him, his breathing ragged. "What the hell did that mean?!"

Sebastian opened the door and walked in.

"It didn't mean anything."

He closed the door.

Bang.

Lucian stood outside staring at the door, his heart hammering like a drum.

The sensation still lingered on his lips—warm, soft, carrying that unique scent of Sebastian.

He raised his hand and touched his lips.

Then he touched them again.

Standing before that closed door, he smiled like an idiot.

After a long while, he took a deep breath and knocked.

"Hey, open up. I haven't come in yet."

Footsteps sounded from inside.

The door opened; Sebastian stood there, wearing that same indifferent mask.

Lucian looked at him, the corners of his mouth uncontrollably curling upward.

Sebastian ignored him and walked further in.

Lucian followed and closed the door.

From the kitchen, his mother’s voice called out: "You’re back?"

Sebastian gave an affirmative response and headed toward the bedroom.

Lucian followed, whispering behind him: "That thing you just did..."

Sebastian didn't look back.

"I forgot."

"You wouldn't dare!"