18 Chapter 18- Silent Nigh (2/2)
His turn to curse Xiao Nai and his great ideas.
”You're up.”
KO blinked at Hao Mei.
”For the shower? Your turn for the bathroom.”
By not even a twitch of his lips did Hao Mei show any awareness of the impact of his words. Instead, with doe-like eyes, he reached up and ran a hand slowly through his hair, pausing for the barest breath with his torso stretched and towel threatening to slip. Then, with a cheery, guileless smile, he secured the towel with a hand and waved KO past him in to the bathroom.
”I'll be dressed once you're done.”
He disappeared into the bedroom, leaving KO like a bronze statue hit with heavy rainfall.
Left to his own devices while KO took a surprisingly long shower, Hao Mei felt the butterflies start beating at his stomach again. His earlier bravado deserted him and anxiety took its place.They'd done this before. This is no different to crashing at his place after a long day. Except it was. This wasn't KO's dingy room. He wasn't sleeping on the couch- he couldn't after KO's earlier dismissal of the suggestion- and even though he'd shared a bed with male friends before, he'd never shared a bed with one he'd been so physically aware of. He grumbled to himself as he stewed on the issue some more. It was all KO's fault, really. He was the one to instigate the initial flirty touches, and who knew the stone-wall hacker was such a pervert?
He sat on the bed.
Then moved to look out the window.
Then looked at the bed.
Out the window.
Bed.
Window.
Beer?
With relief, he remembered the bar fridge tucked away inside the living area and, with glee at the thought of Xiao Nai's face when he received the bill, decided to get some help with unwinding. The bottles were small, the quality good, and the alcohol content much stronger than Hao Mei's nervous stomach could take. He didn't notice the passing of time. Didn't notice KO standing in the bathroom doorway; watching him, watching the view. Didn't notice the empty bottle slip from his hand, only to be caught before it hit the floor. Didn't notice the arms that lifted him from his position curled up in the chair by the window, carried him to the bedroom and placed him gently on the bed. He didn't notice the blankets tucked over him, but even in a drunken stupor he noticed the warm, spicy smell that wrapped around him. He rolled towards it, burrowing his nose into the smooth source of that smell and slept well all night.