Chapter 30.1 (1/2)

Deep in the Act

Translator: Kotoni

Editor: Cien

Quality Check: Isalee

First Published on Chaleuria

Chapter 30.1 (NSFW)

Gao Zhun had already taken his bath. He sat on the bed, waiting in an oversized t-s.h.i.+rt borrowed from Fang Chi. His underwear, newly bought at the supermarket, felt a little tight.

Fang Chi came out of the bathroom without his gla.s.ses. Drying his hair with a towel, he looked at Gao Zhun with a slight squint. ”How are you feeling? Does the new environment scare you?”

”No.” Gao Zhun was feeling shy instead. He lowered his head, revealing the clean, beautiful arch of his neck. ”Am I causing you too much trouble?”

”It's alright,” Fang Chi replied as he tossed his towel onto the couch. He was wearing a t-s.h.i.+rt as well; unlike Gao Zhun, however, he had also put on a pair of shorts. Lifting the covers, Fang Chi climbed onto the foot of the bed. ”Do your feet move much in your sleep? Try not to kick my face in the middle of the night.”

Gao Zhun seldom moved in his sleep - he had trouble falling asleep most of the time, in fact - but he did not tell the truth. ”Sometimes, I move around a lot,” he lied. Nervously twisting his fingers together, he continued, ”Why don't we… sleep in the same direction instead?” Fang Chi was stunned for a moment. Although the pause was very brief, Gao Zhun felt as if minutes had pa.s.sed. Unable to withhold the truth anymore, he stammered, ”I… I want to sleep at the same end as you.”

”Why?” Fang Chi asked.

Gao Zhun did not answer the question. ”Let's sleep in the same direction, please?” he continued pleading, insistent and obstinate.

Heaving a sigh, Fang Chi dragged his pillow from the foot to the head of the bed. He could not see much, but he could sense Gao Zhun's gaze on him, anxious and eager. It lingered on his skin, feverish with the intensity of someone about to melt into a puddle or burst into flames. ”Tomorrow is a workday, so let's turn in early.” Fang Chi got into bed, propped himself up with an elbow, and reached for the light switch. ”Can I turn off the lights now?”

”Wait.” Gao Zhun stopped him, looking a little neurotic. ”Can you hold my hand first?”

He must have avoided absolute darkness for a long time, Fang Chi knew; it was a common symptom among patients with PTSD. ”We can sleep with the lights on tonight.”

”It's okay.” Gao Zhun curled up on himself and lay down. ”I want you to see me doing my best.”

Gao Zhun's words filled Fang Chi with a sweetness that he had not felt for many years. He ached, as if someone had reached into his chest and given the tenderest flesh on the tip of his heart a good hard pinch. Under the covers, he sought out Gao Zhun's hand - the cold hand of an artist - and took it into his own. ”Lights out now. Close your eyes.”

Gao Zhun obeyed without question; he lay still and shut his eyes. Darkness descended upon the room in the next instant. Almost at the same time, he unconsciously tightened his grip on Fang Chi's hand, and a gentle voice spoke into his ear at once, ”Don't be scared. I'm right here.” Then, amidst the rustling of clothes and soft creaks in the mattress, Fang Chi settled down in bed at an appropriate distance away.