Chapter 23: I Think I’m in Love

The hotel room was filled with a cozy warmth.

Lucian laid Sebastian gently on the bed and turned to rummage through the bags he had just brought back from the pharmacy.

The plastic crinkled as he pulled out several boxes of ointment. He studied the instructions carefully before selecting a tube.

"This one," he said, shaking the tube slightly. "It’s for the swelling. If we apply it now, you'll feel better tomorrow."

Sebastian lay facedown, his head buried in the pillow, silent. The mere thought of what was about to happen made him want to crawl into a hole and die.

Lucian walked over and sat on the edge of the bed.

"Pants off."

Sebastian’s body stiffened.

"...I can do it myself."

"You?" Lucian chuckled. "Can your hands even reach back there?"

Sebastian remained silent.

Lucian waited for two seconds. Seeing him still unmoving, he let out a sigh.

"Fine, fine. Do it yourself. I'll just watch you struggle."

Sebastian took a deep breath and slowly reached back for his trousers.

The moment he moved, his brow furrowed.

One more inch, and his entire body locked up.

Watching him, Lucian suppressed a laugh and reached out to help slide the pants down.

"Alright, alright, stop trying to be a hero."

Sebastian buried his face deeper into the pillow, the tips of his ears turning a crimson red.

Lucian squeezed some ointment onto his hand, rubbed it to warm it up, and gently applied it.

"Hiss... watch it! Gently!" Sebastian gripped the bedsheets, his knuckles turning white with effort. He desperately wanted to get up and punch the boy.

"Does it hurt?" Lucian’s hand paused.

"...What do you think?"

Lucian smiled, making his movements even lighter.

"Just endure it for a second. Almost done."

Sebastian didn't reply; he only buried his face further.

The room fell quiet. Lucian’s fingers were light, slowly and methodically spreading the ointment.

His gaze lingered on Sebastian, taking in the flushed skin and the lingering, ambiguous marks. A strange sensation bubbled up in his chest.

Satisfaction, heartache, and a hard-to-define possessiveness.

"Stop looking," Sebastian’s muffled voice came from the pillow.

Lucian blinked. "What?"

"Stop looking," Sebastian whispered even lower. "Turn around."

"Sebastian," Lucian said, his tone teasing. "You're thirty-four. What are you getting shy for?"

Sebastian snapped his head around to glare at him.

His eyes were a mix of shame and fury. "You mother—"

"Okay, okay!" Lucian quickly raised his hands in surrender. "I'll stop, I'll stop."

He lowered his head to finish the task, though the grin on his face refused to fade.

Sebastian glared at him for a few more seconds before burying his face back in the pillow.

Dammit.

Once finished, Lucian set the ointment aside and went to the bathroom to wash his hands.

When he returned, Sebastian was still lying facedown, motionless.

Lucian lay down beside him, turning on his side to look at him.

"Still hurt?"

Sebastian didn't answer.

Lucian reached out and gently drew him into his arms.

Sebastian didn't push him away.

Lucian rested his chin on the top of the man's head, breathing in the faint scent of shampoo.

"You know," he said softly. "I'm really happy."

Sebastian didn't move. "Happy about what?"

"Happy that you didn't push me away that day."

Sebastian was silent for a long moment.

"I must be insane," he muttered.

Lucian pulled him a little tighter.

"Then stay insane with me," he said. "It's not like I'm normal either."

Sebastian said nothing.

After a long while, his hand rose and came to rest lightly on Lucian’s waist.

Lucian leaned down and pressed a kiss to the top of his head.

"Go to sleep."

——————

As for Marcus, these past few days had been a living hell.

The Bar Association’s investigation was ongoing, and the loss of several major clients had cost him a fortune. His wife had taken the children to her parents' house, refusing to answer his calls or return his messages.

He lived alone in that hollow villa, staring at empty wine bottles every day.

His phone rang.

He checked the caller ID and picked up.

"Yeah."

"Marcus, we’ve got something."

Marcus’s brow twitched. "Go on."

The voice on the other end dropped to a whisper, laced with excitement. "I followed that kid back to his hometown last night. Guess what?"

"Stop stalling."

"He checked into a room with a man!"

Marcus was instantly intrigued. "What?"

"Seriously!" the man said. "I saw it with my own eyes. They entered the hotel together. The guy was supporting him, and they looked very intimate. I took photos; I'll send them over."

Marcus’s grip on the phone tightened.

"A man? What kind of man?"

"Young, early twenties, good-looking. They were all over each other, and the older guy was walking strangely, like he was..."

The man didn't finish, but Marcus understood perfectly.

He took a small sip of the wine on the table.

"Take more," he said. "Get them clear. I want shots that leave no doubt about their relationship."

"Don't worry, Marcus. I'm on it."

The call ended.

Marcus leaned back against his chair, looking out at the sunlight, and slowly began to laugh.

Sebastian.

You ruined my reputation. You took my family. You made sure my New Year was a nightmare.

Now, it's my turn.

——————

Back in the hotel, sunlight filtered through the gaps in the curtains. It was already past ten.

Sebastian was jolted awake by the vibration of his phone.

He tried to move, but his entire body felt stiff—his waist was sore, his rear pained, and he felt as though a steamroller had flattened him.

The phone kept vibrating.

He reached for it but couldn't quite grasp it.

"Mm..." a muffled voice came from behind. Lucian pulled him closer, burying his face in Sebastian’s nape. "Don't move..."

"The phone," Sebastian’s voice was raspy.

Lucian reluctantly let go a little, reaching over to snag the phone for him.

Sebastian took it and checked the screen.

Thirty-seven missed calls.

Over a hundred messages.

All from his mother.

His mind snapped to full alertness.

"Hello, Mom..."

"Sebastian, are you alright?! Why didn't you answer?! What did the doctor say?! Is it serious?!"

His mother’s voice erupted from the receiver, rapid and frantic.

Sebastian rubbed his temples.

"I'm fine. It was just a common cold. They gave me some medicine, and I’m much better after a night’s sleep. We’ll be back this afternoon."

"Are you sure you're okay?"

"I'm sure."

His mother fussed for a few more minutes before finally hanging up.

Sebastian set the phone down and let out a long breath.

Just as he was about to sit up, the figure behind him entangled him again.

Lucian’s arm wrapped around his waist, his leg hooked over his, holding him fast like an octopus.

"Sleep more..." his voice was a slurred mumble as he nuzzled Sebastian’s shoulder.

The contact made Sebastian feel a bit ticklish.

"Let go. I need to shower."

"No."

Not only did Lucian not let go, he leaned forward and planted a kiss on the back of Sebastian’s neck.

Then another.

"You—"

Before he could finish, Lucian’s hand began to wander.

He felt his way up from the waist, his fingers grazing skin through the hotel bathrobe.

Sebastian caught his hand. "Stop it."

Lucian chuckled.

He lifted his head, leaning in to kiss the corner of the man's mouth.

"That’s not what you were saying last night."

Sebastian’s face flared hot.

He turned his head to speak, but Lucian captured his lips.

A long, lingering kiss.

When it ended, Lucian looked at him, eyes dancing with amusement.

"Still want that shower?"

Sebastian stared at him, looking thoroughly vexed.

"...Yes."

He shoved Lucian away and braced himself against the bed to sit up slowly.

Lucian leaned against the headboard, watching the man's awkward movements, his eyes crinkling with laughter.

"Careful. Don't fall."

Sebastian ignored him, supporting his waist as he shuffled toward the bathroom.

At the door, he paused.

He didn't turn back.

"...If you dare follow me in, I'm throwing you out."

Lucian burst out laughing.

"Alright, alright. I'll stay out."

The bathroom door closed, and the sound of running water filled the room.

Lucian lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling, the grin never leaving his face.

After a long while, he picked up his phone and sent a message to Chen.

[Lucian: I think I’m in love.]

The reply was instantaneous.

[Chen: ???]

[Chen: With who???]

[Chen: Didn’t you go to that old man’s hometown???]

He didn't reply. He simply set the phone aside, listened to the sound of the shower, and closed his eyes.