Chapter 8.2 (2/2)

Fang Chi was intrigued. He held up Gao Zhun's hand and squeezed it lightly. ”I want to know.”

Gao Zhun stopped in his tracks, seemingly on the verge of finally opening up to Fang Chi. But he wavered in the end. After some hesitation, he backed down again, uncontrollable tears streaming down his already swollen face. Watching the tears spill from Gao Zhun's eyes, Fang Chi felt as if they had fallen into his heart as well, sharp and painful against the softest spot on its flesh. Gently, he pulled Gao Zhun into his arms. Like a loving mother holding her newborn child, Fang Chi enveloped Gao Zhun in a warm embrace. ”Everything's fine now. I'm here for you.”

They stood under a dying banyan tree, locked in each other's arms. Gao Zhun buried his face in the crook of Fang Chi's neck, and Fang Chi felt the burn of his scalding tears against his skin. Gao Zhun cried soundlessly - quiet in his despair, and just as quiet in his struggle to maintain his dignity. Unconsciously, Fang Chi tightened his arms around Gao Zhun and felt the frailness of the body in his embrace. It was far too thin, its waist and back too fragile to even withstand his grip. He stroked Gao Zhun's back slowly along his spine as he whispered against Gao Zhun's ear, ”See? It's possible for you to accept physical contact. You're capable of overcoming your fears too.”

Unable to bear the heat of his breath, Gao Zhun shrank away as he mumbled, ”… you're the only one…”

A strange illusion came over Fang Chi's senses; it seemed as if Gao Zhun had become a girl in his embrace. Fang Chi felt giddy and light-headed as an inexplicable sensation welled up within him. Gao Zhun had not put on any fragrances before leaving the apartment. Fang Chi lowered his head and inhaled furtively, catching a whiff of Gao Zhun's natural scent - a light and calming sweetness. ”I can hear your heartbeat. Can you hear mine?”

Nestled in Fang Chi's arms, Gao Zhun nodded. They were so close to each other that it seemed as if they had become one. Seizing this opportunity, Fang Chi remarked, ”You haven't attempted the task I set for you.” As he spoke, he placed a hand on the nape of Gao Zhun's neck while his other hand trailed upwards along the line of Gao Zhun's waist to rest upon the small, tight knot at his collar. ”It's suffocating you.”

Like a well-trained cat, Gao Zhun lifted his head obediently as soon as he felt Fang Chi's touch against the back of his neck. He stared at Fang Chi through the darkness with panicked eyes. ”Are you disappointed in me?”

Fang Chi wrapped his long fingers around the tie knot. ”I want to undo this,” he said. Gao Zhun swallowed; Fang Chi felt the movement of his Adam's apple. He slipped his index finger under the fabric and hooked it onto the knot. ”May I?”

Gao Zhun hesitated, pressing his lips tightly together. Fang Chi, in turn, tightened his hold on Gao Zhun as he repeated, ”May I?”

Gao Zhun had no choice but to nod his consent. Fang Chi began pulling downward slowly. The sound of friction between fabrics seared through Gao Zhun's ears. He shut his eyes as he allowed Fang Chi to pull his tie away entirely from his neck, a tremor ripping through his body from head to toe at the sensation.

”You're free,” Fang Chi declared as he casually held up his prize and watched it sway in the night breeze.

Gao Zhun did not open his eyes. Noticing how badly Gao Zhun was shaking, Fang Chi laid a hand against Gao Zhun's heaving chest and wrapped his other hand around Gao Zhun's neck. ”It's okay,” he coaxed. ”Everything's okay. Don't be scared…”

All of a sudden, a bright beam shone at them out of nowhere. On reflex, Fang Chi immediately pulled Gao Zhun into a protective embrace. The light came from a team of guards on night patrol, led by the Henanese man who had been on duty at the entrance just moments ago. He stared at them in astonishment, torchlight in hand.

”Mr… Mr. Gao?”

He was about to make his way over when a teammate who shared his accent stopped him. ”Are you dumb or what? They're busy!”

They moved on quickly to continue making their rounds, bantering amongst themselves. Even as they slowly disappeared into the distance, bits of their conversation continued to linger in the night.

”What did you think they were busy with, anyways?”

”What else? Busy being gay!”

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