SIMPLE PLEASURES, moonlight chicken

Rating: Mature

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Fandoms: Midnight Series: Moonlight Chicken พระจันทร์มันไก่ | Moonlight Chicken (TV)

Categories: M/M

Relationships: Alan/Kaipa (Moonlight Chicken TV)

Characters: Alan (Moonlight Chicken TV), Kaipa (Moonlight Chicken TV)

Additional Tags: Canon Compliant, Romantic Fluff, Fluff and Angst, we got them in the end guys, AlanKaipa for the win, Implied/Referenced Sex, Mild Sexual Content, i am not writing full-on smut for these guys (yet), maybe not ever

Summary: There's something so simple about the way they seem to click together, and Kaipa's not one to look a gift-horse in the mouth.

Notes,at the beginning: Thai is confusing to me at the best of times, but especially when it comes to Kaipa's name. His name, in Thai written language, is ไก่ป่า, and ก generally (I say generally, because the language is rather fluid) a"g" sound at the beginning of a word/syllable — and it is pronounced with the "g" sound. However, when his name is translated into English and/or Romanised Thai for subtitles, it becomes a "k" (which it generally only is at the end of a word/syllable, but, again, the Thai language can be fluid). (BTW, his name literally has the word "chicken" in it— ไก่ — which is another reason why I'm kinda confused as to what is the proper spelling, because ไก่ is"gai" [low tone (?)].) So, because of that, I'm genuinely confused as to which way it's actually spelt in English. With that being said, I'm gonna go with "Kaipa" just to stick with the subtitles that we've been given and hope that I can get an answer for my confusion.

𝑠𝑖𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒 𝑝𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒𝑠 — 𝑚𝑜𝑜𝑛𝑙𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑐ℎ𝑖𝑐𝑘𝑒𝑛

𝑎𝑙𝑎𝑛 𝑥 𝑘𝑎𝑖𝑝𝑎

     There's a certain beauty that becomes known in the soft fluorescence of over-head street lamps, creating both sharp edges and rounded curves that depend on the angle at which they're looked upon. Shadows are known to play tricks most times, but the soft warmth of man-made light only deigns them allowance to enhance the natural beauty and allure of that which they lie upon — and that in itself is a thought one might find quite strange and tantalising.

     If one were an artist in any regard, the picturesque scene of an Adonis-like man decorated in light and shadow would be something they could not easily ignore.

     Their fingers would itch to caress the sharp lines of cheekbones that stand high and shape his face, and maybe they would graze over the soft curve of a baby-faced chin that squares out at any other angle at which it's looked. Surely they would dare to trace his lips as well, feel the slight rough patches from where they've been bitten so harshly into bleeding, enthralled by the almost sinful colour they daringly hold. Despite the dark circles beneath his eyes, they wouldn't be able to look away from the sheer level of pure and intrinsic humanity that they freely show within their darkness; eyes that wholly embody shattered glass slowly heating enough to meld back together into something new and whole.

     Kaipa is no such artist, but he is drawn by the contrast nonetheless. Patches of Alan's face are hidden by dark splashes of shadow, almost as if they're begging to be discovered at any cost, and it almost feels like a personal challenge for Kaipa — because, in truth, he is of the belief that there's something more hiding behind what he already knows about the man before him. He knows, above all else, that the older man is a strange sort of enigma, but he also knows that the older man is not so difficult to understand, if he pays close enough attention.

     They're equally as heartbroken, finding enough solace and comfort within each other's easy company to temporarily forget about the dull aches within their chests that haunt them day in and day out. There's something so utterly simple and human about it that Kaipa feels his chest ache in an entirely different way when they're together, and, while he does wonder whether Alan feels the same way, Kaipa doesn't quite have the courage to ask. It's a personal question, almost too personal, and he's hesitant to ask, fearing that it will be the question to shatter the small bubble of comfort they share.

     He should feel like he's being rude or intrusive, watching as Alan digs through his noodles in search of wantons, and maybe he does slightly, but he also has the sense that Alan would have spoken up already if he felt uncomfortable with the younger's eyes upon him. Kaipa smiles slightly as a small pout purses Alan's lips, no wanton having been found buried beneath his noodles and broth, and a pang of something he dares label as adoration sparks warmth in his chest. The ache of a broken heart is further forgotten as the ache with no name grows slightly more tangible, and it makes Kaipa feel as though he could very well cry.

     Glancing down at his own half-full bowl, Kaipa wordlessly digs out two wantons and places them in Alan's bowl, belatedly hoping that his expression is not one of goofy and childlike adoration when Alan's dark eyes look at him in surprise, lips parted as if to argue with the gift that he's been given. Kaipa covers his bowl and cheekily grins, pointing his chin out and looking the banker in the eyes, daring Alan to waste the gift that the younger has given him, to which Alan playfully rolls his eyes and nudges his foot against Kaipa's leg in silent complaint even as a faint redness crosses the bridge of his nose.

     When Kaipa first saw the man months ago, eyes burning with such hatred and anguish, barely able to control the rage born from his shattered heart, he never thought that Alan could be anything like the soft and kind man that has helped him so much since his mother's passing. When Alan had approached Kaipa at her funeral, half limping with a crutch to bear most of his weight, Kaipa was hesitant to even speak with the older man. He felt far too swaddled in painful heartbreak and the aching despair of loss to care much about Alan's kind and thoughtful words — or to even consider truly caring about the gold-decaled business card that Alan handed Kaipa with half-heard words about his mother's money.

     Kaipa, thinking back on it now, is far too embarrassed to openly admit that he took longer than he truly needed to meet with Alan, not wanting anything to do with such a contradictory and enigmatic man. But now, sitting across from the bashful expression on Alan's face as he tries to rein in his joy of having wantons once more, Kaipa wishes that he'd had the guts to go see the broken man sooner. The odd and truly undefined relationship that they have right now is something that he's yearned to have for untold years, and, now that he has it within his desperate grasp, Kaipa isn't entirely certain whether he can ever let it go.

     He says "undefined" with certainty because, truthfully, he can't quite call it a friendship, nor can he any longer call it anything regarding a professional interest — and he feels as though there's just something, dare he say, desiring or wanting within the older's eyes sometimes. It's always gone in the blink of an eye, leaving Kaipa wondering whether he actually saw anything as such, but also feeling wanted for the first time in what feels like months. And, maybe — just maybe — it really has been months since Kaipa has felt wanted by someone; felt as though he's not hanging around for scraps of attention from someone who has very little interest in him.

     Whatever it is in Alan's eyes, it leaves Kaipa wanting more.

     Even if it is a fantasy, seeing that dark look in Alan's eyes, it makes Kaipa yearn for all that the older man has to offer; makes him yearn for all of Alan's burning attention. Kaipa doesn't feel ashamed to admit that the desiring look ignites a fire within his body, one that makes his mouth go dry and his breathing hitch, even if only slightly — and he dares to wonder what the older man's hands would feel like against his skin. Would they tremble with uncertainty, unsure whether this is a line that can be crossed? Would they feel like they're burning Kaipa alive, all-consuming and unforgiving?

     Kaipa blinks, startled, when Alan's foot knocks harder against his leg, the younger boy flushing in embarrassment when he realises that he's been staring at the older man whilst lost within his fantastical thoughts. There's an equally red colour painted across Alan's face, Kaipa realises a moment later, and he's obstinately avoiding eye contact, almost glaring down at his empty bowl, hiding his eyes behind his fringe. Kaipa grimaces, looking down at his now cold dinner, no longer feeling remotely hungry with how his embarrassment is rearing its head, hating how he's clearly made Alan uncomfortable with his undivided attention.

     "Sorry."

     Kaipa's word of apology is barely a murmur as he reaches across the table to collect Alan's empty bowl, making up his mind to give the older man some space after putting him in such an uncomfortable position. Stacking his own bowl on top of Alan's, Kaipa takes them back to the vendor, paying the bill before Alan can put up a fuss and demand to pay for his own meal, claiming that he has more than enough to pay for something so simple. Really, it's the least that Kaipa can do given the situation, and Alan has done more than enough to help Kaipa — even going out of his way to make sure the younger takes care of himself now that he no longer has any family members around to keep him company.

     He feels Alan staring at him as Kaipa sits back across from the older man, but Kaipa takes a page from Alan's book and pointedly stares at the table between them, guilt and anxiety churning away in his stomach like a raging storm. Surely the older man is irritated with him for staring, and the idea that they'll no longer meet makes Kaipa jittery. Their meetings — whether work or business related, or just for the simple pleasure of having someone to talk to — are something that Kaipa has begun to consider rather dear, and the idea that he has scared Alan off by staring at him... It makes him feel sick.

     "Kaipa."

     Alan's voice makes Kaipa startle, the younger's back straightening and his eyes warily meeting the older's, unsure of what he'll find lurking within the dark depths of Alan's eyes. He can count on one hand the amount of times that Alan has called him "Kaipa" alone, usually preferring to keep the barrier of professionalism between them by calling him "Khun" — and Kaipa is shameless enough to admit to himself that he much prefers it when Alan is familiar with him, crossing that unspoken line. It makes him feel like less of a job and more like their meetings mean more than work — and he hates how safe it makes him feel, because the safety that Alan unknowingly offers is something that Kaipa longs for on an unhealthy level.

     There's nothing condemning or berating either visible or hidden in Alan's dark eyes, and that simple fact allows Kaipa to breathe once again. But it also makes him wonder what exactly is going on inside Alan's mind for him not to be visibly put off by the younger's previously unabashed and, really, unintentional staring. The way that the shadows cling to Alan's skin is downright sinful, and Kaipa finds it far too hard to look away from how truly beautiful it makes the older man look — but he knows that such an excuse will hardly be accepted by someone as pragmatic as Alan.

     Kaipa forces his eyes away from Alan's face, cursing himself for staring again. "Sorry..."

     "Do I have something on my face?" Alan asks, a teasing lit to his voice that makes giddiness tickle Kaipa's chest and knock him down a notch on the embarrassment scale. "Or do you have something to tell me?"

     "No, I just..." Kaipa swallows slightly, hesitant in meeting Alan's eyes because, honestly, it's nerve-wracking. "You..."

     "Yes?"

     "You're really attractive."

     Alan is clearly startled by the admission, the red flush returning to his face. "Oh..."

     Now that the words have started, no matter how awkward they are, Kaipa can't stop them. "You're so kind to me, and so helpful and so understanding. I... You make me feel cared for again, and I didn't realise how much I missed it since my mother passed. I... Sometimes I see this look in your eyes, and I wonder... I wonder whether you know how I feel."

     "Kaipa, take it easy. There's no need to get worked up about this, it's okay."

     Kaipa shakes his head, staring down at his tightly interlocked fingers atop the table. "I..."

     Alan's hands gently close around Kaipa's, startling the younger boy. "Kaipa, it's okay."

     "I like you."

     Kaipa swallows down his almost acidic tasting anxiety and dares to meet Alan's eyes, more than prepared for the oncoming rejection that is to leave the older man's lips at any second. He survived being rejected by Jim, who he liked for years before he dared confess, so Kaipa holds no uncertainty that he can survive being rejected by Alan, who he has liked for a much shorter time. Sure, Kaipa has long since admitted to himself that it may well have been more that he saw Jim as a shelter; as a safe place, more than truly loving the older man, but that doesn't mean he didn't love Jim.

     In respect to Alan, Kaipa knows that it's more than feeling comfortable and safe with him — and that it's more than wanting to confirm his fantasy of how Alan's hands would feel against his skin. He wants everything that the older man has to offer; the good and the bad.

     "You like me?"

     Kaipa chews at his inner lip. "If you're going to reject me, please just—"

     Alan smiles slightly. "I wasn't sure if you did, or if I was imagining it. And I wasn't going to push you for an answer."

     "Huh?"

     In lieu of an answer, Kaipa is left almost knocking over a chair as Alan all but drags him from the table, a startled curse leaving the younger male's lips as he's pulled after the banker, eyes wild with confusion and disbelief. Partially, Kaipa didn't think that Alan, given his skinny arms, was this strong. Mostly, Kaipa is wondering whether he hit his head and is dreaming this entire thing up, because there's no way that Alan is even remotely accepting Kaipa's feelings — not when Kaipa knows that a part of Alan still aches for Wen, and Alan knows that a part of Kaipa still aches for Jim. They're not whole enough within themselves for any of this, but, maybe, just maybe, that's the entire point...

     Hidden away in the shadows of the night, Kaipa doesn't get a chance to clear the air with Alan before the younger male is yanked ever closer to the older male, the hand on his wrist vanishing and instead firm around the back of Kaipa's neck. The kiss is a confusing mixture of soft and desperate, feeling as though it is both not enough and all-consuming, and that is more than enough. Kaipa whimpers at the roughness, hands clutching almost desperately at Alan as he all but melts into the kiss, the burning and trembling hand curled around the back of his neck keeping him grounded when he feels like he's about to float away. He feels more than hears a sound of relief leave Alan, the noise being swallowed by the kiss, and Kaipa feels a chill sweep his body at the soft sound.

     Realisation hits: Alan was just as scared as Kaipa was.

     His hand moving to curve against Alan's jaw, Kaipa presses closer, their bodies sharing warmth within the chilling darkness of Pattaya City's night hours, a choked sound reverberating within his chest when Alan's other hand grips tightly at Kaipa's waist, holding him close and not daring to let him go. The kiss feels as though they're both starving for even the smallest amount of affection, clinging tightly to each other in fear of losing it once they're forced to part, and Kaipa feels like he's being devoured, entirely willingly, by Alan. There's an edge of something primal and possessive in the way that Alan kisses him, and, if Kaipa had much coherent thought, he may well compare it to a beast laying claim to their prey; to their life-long mate.

     But he's also not so delusional to believe such a thing. This may well only be a passing fancy for either one of — or both of — them, so there's no real point in such a notion. But still... Kaipa feels wanted and desired, and that is something he will cling to for however long he can — and he has a feeling that Alan must be feeling something similar for him to be kissing Kaipa with such ferocity.

     Lungs burning for air, Kaipa reluctantly pulls away from Alan's kiss, his forehead meeting the taller man's as they both pant into the small distance between their lips. "You like me too, then?"

     Alan laughs breathlessly, squeezing the back of Kaipa's neck for the teasing jab. "Don't be a brat. Yeah, I like you."

     It's more than a relief that there's no awkwardness or negative tension rife in the minimal air between their lips, only the desire to close the distance that feels almost illegal in its existence. Determination curls within Kaipa's chest and he pulls Alan's lips back to his own, feeling as though he may well die without the other man kissing him; as if they're to fall apart with even the smallest amount of space between them. It's heady and addictive, the desire and pleasure that bubbles like freshly made toffee atop a stove, sickeningly sweet and never knowing when enough is enough. Kaipa wants more, more, more — and Alan is helpless to do anything but give.

     Aware that they're still in public, and the way that they are kissing is bordering on being absolutely filthy — and most definitely not fit for public in any regard — Kaipa almost dives back in for another kiss when a whine of complaint leaves Alan the second he cuts the kiss short. Hissing out a steadying breath, Kaipa puts some distance between them so that he's not tempted to say "fuck it" and do something downright illegal to Alan without caring that they're in the public eye. And, by the flush upon Alan's face and the darkness within the older man's eyes, Kaipa is near certain that he wouldn't complain even if they were to be caught.

     Alan's hand falls from Kaipa's waist and takes the younger male's hand, tugging gently and urgently as he steps backwards, urging the younger, without words, to follow the banker. To Kaipa, it's a miracle that his feet decide to cooperate in following the older man, almost feeling as though he's a fish caught on a hook; unable to deny his sharp and poignant desire to follow Alan to the ends of the earth if the older man so desires it. Logically, he knows that it's quite an exaggeration, and that the man is only taking them somewhere outside of the public eye, but Kaipa is already addicted to the sugary sweet and equally burning kisses that Alan has promised for him.

     Kaipa feels giddy as they walk through the moonlit night, fluorescent street lamps dotting the way to Alan's condo as if they're leading the males towards the happiness that they deserve above all else. Kaipa begrudgingly admits to himself that he can barely look away from Alan long enough to not trip over his own feet, mesmerised by the way the light changes the shape and softness of the older man's face. Truthfully, Alan should — and usually does — find someone's undivided attention upon himself rather unsettling to bear, but the softness in Kaipa's expression as the younger male looks at him in wonder... It makes Alan feel, dare he freely admit, rather giddy himself.

     The idea that somebody wants him makes Kaipa want to scream and cry all at once — and, given how utterly embarrassing it feels to admit within the confines of his own mind, let alone confess out loud, Kaipa wants to beg Alan to never leave him alone out in the cold. It ripples beneath his skin, the almost overwhelming desire to latch on and never let him go, but Kaipa knows better than to put the burden of his own happiness upon someone else — and he knows that Alan struggles enough as it is with trying to live a life that makes himself happy.

     Caught up in his thoughts, Kaipa misses them reaching Alan's condo, snapping back to reality when a door is all but slammed shut and Kaipa himself is pressed up against the wood, Alan's body burning against the younger's. Kaipa faintly registers the gasp that's torn from his lips at the collision, paying much more attention to the harsh and almost ruthless way that Alan kisses him; devours him alive — not that Kaipa is in any way complaining. Kaipa's brain feels fuzzy with lust and desire, wanting nothing more than to be devoured by the older man, and the heat eclipsing his body as Alan kisses him in a way that feels downright feral only enhances that desire.

     One of the older man's hands pins Kaipa's hip to the door, and the other burying itself in the younger's hair, gripping almost to the point of pain. Kaipa whines into the kiss, splaying one of his hands on Alan's lower back and forcing the older man to use his weight to pin Kaipa to the door, the other hand unforgiving as it curls around the back of Alan's neck and his fingers fist the older man's hair. It is without complaint that Kaipa parts his legs just enough for Alan to press his thigh between them, a sharp moan leaving Kaipa at the friction it creates against his crotch, hips instinctively thrusting at the chance of feeling pleasure.

     His head dropping back against the door at the pleasure sparking through his nerves means their lips part, and the loss of Alan's feverish kisses makes Kaipa whine in complaint, begging the older man with his eyes to do something with his sinful lips. Glasses askew and his eyes blown with lust, Alan watches, mesmerised, as Kaipa essentially rides his thigh, feeling both frozen in place and as though liquid fire runs through his veins. He wants to run and hide from the beautiful man in front of him, but he also wants to consume without asking for forgiveness later.

     It's too much for Alan to take in at once: Kaipa's lips shiny with saliva and bitten red from their kisses, looking far too inviting to be normal; the soft, pleading moans falling like prayers from the sinful lips, already too addictive to Alan's ears; the quick rise and fall of Kaipa's chest as he breathes, struggling to have any kind of steadiness about it; the rhythmic roll of Kaipa's hips against Alan's thigh, chasing friction and relief and pleasure; the messiness of Kaipa's hair from Alan's hand pulling the strands, the hand that is still in the younger male's hair.

     Forcing himself to move, Alan tugs on Kaipa's hair, forcing the younger boy to arch his back as his head is pulled back slightly, baring his throat as if it's an offering for the older man. A guttural groan leaves Alan's throat as his lips descend upon the offered skin, only kissing softly at first, but he quickly finds his footing and begins to nip and suck and lick, lavishing the once pristine and clear skin. The sound that leaves Kaipa is something caught between a scream and a moan when the older man bites down particularly harshly at the base of the younger's throat, hand tightening in Alan's hair and his hips stuttering at the pleasure of the assault.

     "Alan..."

     Kaipa wants the older man closer, he wants Alan's burning hands on his skin; he wants to feel Alan's skin beneath his hands. Hand trailing from the older man's back to his chest, Kaipa makes quick work of the annoying buttons of Alan's shirt, willing his hand to stop trembling as it meets burning skin once the shirt hangs open. Lips detach from his neck as Kaipa hesitantly trails his fingers across Alan's chest, brushing softly enough over nipples to elicit a gasp from the older man, and, although he would love to see how worked up he can make the older man from just that, Kaipa believes they have time.

     "Kaipa, don't tease."

     "Then do something about it."

     Alan growls at the challenge, pressing his thigh harder against Kaipa's erection and relishing in the strangled moan that's torn from the younger, Kaipa unable to help the no doubt painful way his nails dig into Alan's hip as he grapples for something to ground himself as pleasure washes over him. It's almost too much for the younger male, which Kaipa cannot help but laugh at himself for. He doesn't have a short fuse, but there's just something about Alan that has him teetering on the edge of an orgasm already.

     Not one to back down from a challenge, Kaipa grins up at the ceiling as he reaches down to unbuckle Alan's belt and undo the buttons and zipper of his ridiculous work slacks, inhaling sharply when Alan's thigh between his legs shifts. The lips and teeth working against his vulnerable throat don't halt in their painting of Kaipa's skin, and the younger boy takes that as Alan wordlessly giving him permission to go ahead with his plan. Kaipa thought that the skin of Alan's hands and chest were burning, but they have nothing on the heat between the older man's legs, and Kaipa hisses out a breath through his teeth as he presses his hand against Alan's dick through his underwear.

     Alan's eyes roll back into his head as he moans and thrusts into Kaipa's hand, pleasure dancing like fire and electricity through his nerves at the simple touch. It feels like months since he's felt this simple pleasure of someone's hands against any sensitive part of his body, and he knows that, given how long it really has been since he's gotten off, he is not going to last as long as he usually would. What doesn't help is that the hand on him right now belongs to a downright sinful looking boy who is trying his hardest to hide the fact that he really has no experience in this department.

     With the small amount of courage Alan's reaction gives him, Kaipa slips his hand into Alan's underwear and wraps his hand around Alan's dick, somewhat thrown off by just how much precome is wetting the older man's erection. Kaipa isn't sure why he thought that he was the only one dancing along the cusp of an orgasm; holding on buy nothing more than a tiny thread, but he now knows for sure that he's not the only one wanting to tip over into an almost delirious level of pleasure.

     Kaipa isn't completely unsure of how to jerk someone off, not when he has a dick of his own, but the unfamiliar weight of Alan's dick in his hand makes Kaipa feel more like the virgin he truly is. It's different, having someone else's dick in your hand, he realises rather belatedly, but there has to be a middle ground. So, he starts out slow and teasing, making it seem like he knows what he's doing, and, by the soft moans leaving Alan's lips, Kaipa knows that he has to be doing something right. With the vocal affirmation, Kaipa ups the ante, testing the limits of what Alan will find pleasure in, soon finding a rhythm that has the older man gasping and rutting into Kaipa's hand, wordlessly pleading for more.

     Alan's hand on Kaipa's hip pulls forward, urging the younger male to ride the older's thigh like he was before, and Kaipa is helpless in resisting. Trailing small kisses and bites up the column of Kaipa's throat, the older man finds his destination and kisses Kaipa as if Alan needs him to breathe, the sounds of their kiss wet and filthy in the otherwise silent condo. Kaipa whimpers into the kiss and drags his clothed dick along Alan's thigh, trying to keep a steady rhythm as he jerks Alan off, feeling his orgasm get closer and closer with each filthy roll of his hips.

     He can faintly hear Alan urging him along, the older man's hand on the younger's hip pushing and pulling with each thrust, and the tipping point is the moment Kaipa feels Alan's teeth just below his ear. Kaipa's head slams back against the door, hips still moving as he cums in his pants like a teenager, a choked-off moan tearing at his throat and echoing in the condo, cursing softly when he feels Alan's fingernails digging into his hip.

     "Kaipa, please..."

     Caught in the waves of his own orgasm, Kaipa tightens his hand slightly around Alan's dick and runs his thumb over the head, feeling the older man grunt and bury his head in the join of Kaipa's neck and shoulder, warm wetness coating the younger's hand and Alan's bare stomach. Kaipa's chest heaves, the younger boy trying to steady his breathing and his pounding heart, feeling like he's burning from the inside out where his skin is pressed against Alan's, his free hand gently running through the older man's sweaty hair as aftershocks rattle both of their bodies.

     Alan's panting breath is pleasantly hot against Kaipa's skin, and it sends chills dancing down the younger's spine. Kaipa moans softly in overstimulation when Alan removes his thigh from between Kaipa's legs, and the older male hisses out a breath when Kaipa realises that he still has his hand around the older's dick, opting to let it go before it gets awkward. The cum on his hand makes Kaipa curious as to how it would taste, but he reconsiders when he sees the way that Alan grimaces at the mess they've made, uncaring as he wipes his hand on his already dirty shirt.

     Kaipa swallows before summoning the courage to shatter the silence. "Do you... Do you regret it?"

     Alan's eyes are sharp despite the haziness of post-orgasm. "No. Why would you think that?"

     "I don't know. I just..."

     "Come on. Shower, we're gross."

     Moving makes Kaipa more aware of the mess in his pants, nose scrunching in distaste as he walks after Alan, the older man laughing softly at the disgruntled expression on the younger's face. It's a relief to be free of his clothes and under the spray of the shower a minute later, Alan standing only a few inches away, within reach, but Kaipa is hesitant to reach out for the older man. Even though Kaipa knows that Alan is still the same person as he was earlier this night, the older man looks different in this new light, not like he does under the fluorescence of street lamps; harsher almost.

     Alan looks at Kaipa, a small smile playing on his lips, the harshness faltering as the hesitant joy spreads across the older man's face, and Kaipa relaxes, returning the smile and reaching for the older man. This kiss is softer than any that they've yet shared, the feverish desire to consume placated for now, and Kaipa finds himself yearning for more of this softness. Maybe, just maybe, this could be so much more than a passing fancy for either one of — or both of — them, and Kaipa prays that such a thing is true.

     It's Alan that breaks the kiss this time, resting his forehead against Kaipa's. "Stay?"

     Kaipa's eyes burn with tears, and he is ridiculously glad that they're in the shower so that his tears are washed downthe drain by the water. "Okay."