VIII

They ran quickly and quietly through the floor. Christopher knew his parents were asleep, he didn't want to wake them.

"Do you want anything to drink or eat?" the older boy asked Hyunjin as they locked themselves in his basement apartment.

"May I have some tea, please?"

The smaller one nodded. He prepared two mugs with tea bags and waited for the water to boil. "Do you add sugar?"

Hyunjin shook his head. With a few long strides, he moved to the other man and wrapped his arms around his waist from behind, then rested his head on his shoulder.

Christopher smiled and turned his head towards his visitor. "Are you sleepy?"

"A little," the long-haired man murmured, pressing a kiss to the back of his neck and hugging him a little tighter. The older man turned to face him and wrapped his arms around his neck. He stroked his hair, bringing him into a soft kiss. When they broke the kiss, they pressed even tighter into each other's embrace. They stayed like that together until the kettle announced that the water was ready.

"I'll get right back to you," Christopher smiled at Hyunjin, turning towards the counter and pouring both cups.

Meanwhile, Hyunjin looked around the room a bit. His gaze lingered on the guitar, the presence of which he had barely noticed on his previous two visits. "How long have you been playing?"

"Wow... Fifteen years for sure," the elder mused as he placed both mugs on the coffee table.

"Could you play something for me, please?" The taller one asked, then sat down on the carpet with his knees pressed to his chest and took the hot cup in his hands. Cute, Christopher thought.

"Do you have any special requests?" He hummed as he settled onto the sofa with his guitar.

Hyunjin shook his head. "It doesn't matter," he smiled.

The elder nodded and started the song Ocean Eyes. His voice broke once or twice as he sang, but he decided not to pay any attention to it.

"I've never fallen from quite this high,

falling into your ocean eyes.

Your ocean eyes..."

The taller one put the cup back down and stood up. He walked around the coffee table, then sat down next to Christopher. He wrapped his arms around his waist and rested his head on his shoulder. "You play and sing very well."

The elder leaned his guitar against the side of the seat and returned the hug, then kissed Hyunjin's hair. "Thanks."

The younger one kissed him on the lips and laid his head on his thighs.

Christopher smiled tenderly and stroked his cheek, then ran his fingers through his soft hair. "You're cute."

"Shut up," Hyunjin laughed, then covered his blushing face with his hands.

"I won't, because it's true," the elder said, and then took his hands gently to uncover his face again. He wanted to kiss him on the forehead, but the younger one positioned himself to kiss him on the lips. He smiled and kissed him until they ran out of breath.

"Let's change the position, this is a bit uncomfortable," the taller man smiled, then sat down.

"Should I rearrange myself too, or...?"

"You stay," Hyunjin purred, sitting down on the elder's lap.

Christopher smiled and stroked his hair, pulling him into more kisses.

"May I?" The elder asked, tugging at his turtleneck. Hyunjin nodded and began to remove the item of clothing himself.

"Tell me if you disagree with anything," the smaller man whispered as he helped his companion pull his top over his head.

"Don't worry, I'll scream," Hyunjin laughed, letting the smaller one lay him down on the seat.

"Good," the elder chimed in, kissing him on the lips before continuing his kisses on his jaw and neck. "You're so beautiful," he murmured, whereupon the younger man whispered a thank you and stroked his hair. He moved on to his prominent collarbones, chest and slim stomach, where he lingered for a moment. His eyes widened as he noticed the jewel in the other's navel. "You have a piercing?"

The taller one nodded and raised himself on his elbows. "Do you like it?"

"It suits you," he smiled, then kissed him on the ornament in question.

"Chris?"

"Yes?"

"Why are you still wearing your shirt?" With that, he pulled it over his head. He held his breath for a moment at the sight of his partner's half-naked body. He reached out and with the tips of his fingers began to stroke every defined muscle on his torso.

Christopher gently took his hand, which he then pressed into the centre of his chest, right where his heart was beating rapidly.

Hyunjin smiled slightly and stroked the spot in question. No words were needed.

After a few moments, the elder leaned down to kiss him. The elder smiled and returned the soft kiss.

"Chris?"

"Hm?"

"Do you mind if we just cuddle tonight?" He looked at him with puppy eyes.

"And why should I mind?" Christopher whispered, brushing an unruly lock of hair out of his eyes.

Hyunjin was about to say something, but instead shook his head with a smile and kissed him again.

"Everything okay?" The elder asked, tucking his hair behind his ear and stroking his cheek.

"Absolutely," Hyunjin replied softly with a gentle smile.

***

"Chris?" murmured Hyunjin from the chest of the person he was addressing, as they lay together in bed.

"Yes?" Christopher replied. He lay on his back with his eyes closed, one hand behind his head while the fingers of the other hand combed through the other's damp hair.

"Are you jealous of Seungmin?" He asked the taller one cautiously, then raised his eyes to the older one.

He opened them and looked back. "Honestly, a little bit..."

Hyunjin nodded and snuggled even closer to him. He wrapped his leg around his waist. "I noticed the way you were looking at him at the bowling alley."

"Was it really that noticeable?"

"Yeah, I'm surprised he isn't six feet under by now," Hyunjin teased with a smile. "But seriously. You really have no reason to be jealous, there was never anything between us, we're just friends. He was there for me when I hit rock bottom."

"I get it, I totally understand, I just..." He sighed heavily. "I'm sorry, I don't know what's gotten into me."

"Really, please don't blame him," the long-haired man whispered, kissing him on the shoulder. "After what happened, he's just trying to protect me."

"I understand," nodded Christopher, who kissed him on the forehead in return.

"Good," Hyunjin smiled, snuggling a little closer to him.

***

He woke up when he heard a soft whimpering next to him. He opened his eyes and lifted his head. Hyunjin, who had fallen asleep while hugging him, was now lying with his back turned to him on the other half of the bed. Even in the dark, he noticed that he twitched a little every now and then. Probably nightmares...

"Jin, wake up," Christopher whispered, shaking him gently.

There was another whimper, but the younger one still didn't wake up.

"It's just a dream, you're safe," he tried again, louder, and shook him a second time, harder.

He didn't expect Hyunjin to wake up with a jerk and his hand instinctively flew to his face. Christopher didn't have time to dodge. The slap rang through the room and he grabbed his cheek. His companion had surprising strength.

"Oh my God... Chris...?" Hyunjin whispered as he got his bearings.

"Did you have bad dreams?" Christopher asked. He was still holding his hit cheek.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to," the taller one stammered apologetically, then sat up and hugged the older one tightly. "Does it hurt?"

"Don't worry," the elder muttered from his shoulder, returning the hug. "You're safe, no one can hurt you here."

Hyunjin nodded and snuggled even closer to Christopher. "I know. I... suffer from sleep paralysis..."

The elder gently took his face in his hands and stroked his cheekbones with his thumbs. "Nothing happened, Jin."

He kissed him between the eyebrows before resting his forehead against his. He promised himself that he would protect Hyunjin no matter what it took.