Chapter 25: Traces Settled by Time

By the time the car pulled up to the small villa, the sky was pitch black.

Lucian parked the car in the garage and turned off the engine.

The two of them got out and began hauling the various bags of local specialties into the house. Sebastian’s back was much better, but his movements were still a bit slow, so Lucian carried the bulk of the load himself.

As they piled the items in the foyer, Lucian leaned against the shoe cabinet and suddenly let out a sigh.

"What's wrong?" Sebastian asked, changing his shoes without looking up.

"The start of the semester," Lucian’s tone was annoyed. "Just thinking about going back to classes, writing papers, and dealing with those idiot classmates... it’s irritating."

Sebastian finished changing, straightened his back, and looked at him.

"Cherish it while it lasts," he said with a hint of a smile. "Once you graduate, you’ll realize how great being a student actually was."

Lucian stared at him.

He watched him take off his coat and hang it up—his movements composed, his face wearing an inscrutable smile.

Something suddenly occurred to Lucian, and he asked, "Did you date anyone... back in university?"

Sebastian’s movements faltered for a second. He turned his head and looked at Lucian.

Lucian looked back at him, his eyes filled with a touch of curiosity and a trace of probing.

Sebastian retracted his gaze and walked toward the living room.

"I did."

Lucian felt a surge of nerves. He wanted to know exactly what kind of person this man liked. He always felt that this man didn't truly like him, but rather happened to be alone and, seeing that he was handsome, decided to go through with all of this.

Driven by a sense of urgency, Lucian followed him.

"What were they like?"

Sebastian sat down on the sofa, leaning back into the cushions with a relaxed expression.

"Very intellectual," he said. "We got along well. We often went to the library together to discuss books, movies, and life."

Lucian sat down beside him, listening.

"And then?"

"And then?" Sebastian thought for a moment. "We broke up upon graduation. She wanted to go back to her hometown, and I wanted to stay here. There was no melodrama; we just couldn't make it work anymore."

Lucian fell silent for a while.

He looked down at himself: sneakers, jeans, and a hoodie still covered in road dust.

He was far from being "intellectual," but surely he had youth on his side.

He looked at Sebastian again—neatly dressed even at home, sitting with a straight posture, his face carrying that calm composure of someone who had seen the world.

He suddenly felt like he didn't quite measure up.

Sebastian saw his expression and laughed.

"What are you thinking about?"

Lucian lifted his head and looked at him.

"Are you against marriage?"

Sebastian nodded.

"Yes. And I don't like children, either."

Lucian opened his mouth but ultimately said nothing.

Seeing him like that, Sebastian’s smile became more pronounced.

"What, having second thoughts?"

"No," Lucian said stubbornly.

Sebastian leaned back into the sofa, his gaze falling on him with a touch of scrutiny and amusement.

"Don't speak too soon," he said. "You're still young. Who’s to say that once you get bored, you won't run off with someone younger?"

Lucian glared at him.

"What do you mean by that?"

"Nothing," Sebastian laughed. "Just speaking the truth."

Lucian stared at him, trying to find an answer on his face...

"Yeah," he said, intentionally dragging out his voice. "Maybe you're right."

Sebastian looked at him and didn't speak.

Lucian continued, "However—"

He leaned in closer, right in front of Sebastian, so close he could see his own reflection in the man's eyes.

"I actually happen to like older men."

His gaze fell on Sebastian's face, slowly sweeping over his eyes, the bridge of his nose, and his lips.

"The traces settled by time," he said, his voice softening. "They're very charming."

Sebastian looked at him.

He looked into those young eyes, where earnestness and cunning were mixed together.

He smiled.

The corners of his mouth curved up, as did the corners of his eyes; his entire face softened.

"Alright," he said, reaching out to pat Lucian’s cheek. "Stop being so glib. Go take a shower; you're covered in dust."

Lucian felt a jolt from the touch. His body instinctively wanted to pull the man into a hug, but he restrained himself.

He stood up and headed upstairs.

At the staircase, he turned back.

Sebastian was still sitting on the sofa, picking up his phone to check something. The living room light fell on him, outlining his silhouette with a soft glow.

Lucian stared for a good while before turning to go upstairs.

The corner of his mouth remained tilted upward.

So what if a man like this was a bit of a challenge?